Finding information during a time of loss feels like trying to read through a fog. If you're looking for roberts winegardner funeral home obituaries, you aren't just looking for a list of names. You're likely looking for a neighbor, a family member, or a piece of New Lexington history.
It’s personal.
Most people just type the name into a search engine and hope for the best, but there’s a bit more to navigating the records in Perry County than just clicking the first link. Honestly, the way local news and funeral records have shifted online has made things both easier and, weirdly, more fragmented.
Where the Records Actually Live
The physical building at 304 Mill Street has been a landmark in New Lexington for a long time. But the digital records for roberts winegardner funeral home obituaries are scattered across a few different spots.
You’ve got the official website, which is usually the most "pure" source. It's managed directly by Robert "Bob" Winegardner and his team. Then there are the aggregators like Legacy or Tribute Archive.
Why does this matter? Because the "Tribute Wall" on the official site often has the personal stories—the stuff about how someone loved Elvis or was a "feisty" teacher—that might get trimmed down in a newspaper print version. For instance, the recent passing of folks like Carl David Stickdorn Sr. or Ruth Ann Dodson shows just how much detail the family puts into these digital memorials. These aren't just death notices; they're short biographies.
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The History Behind the Name
You can't really talk about the obituaries without knowing who is writing them. This place hasn't always been Roberts-Winegardner.
It’s got roots going back to 1893. Back then, it was Morgan-Johnson-Birkimer. Eventually, it became the JA Birkimer Funeral Home. In the 1950s, William H. Roberts Jr. took over, and for over half a century, it was simply Roberts Funeral Home.
Bob Winegardner, who had been an employee there for 16 years, bought the business with his wife Terri in late 2011. They officially changed the name in January 2012. When you see an obituary from this home, you’re seeing the work of people who actually live in the community—Terri even teaches kindergarten in Zanesville.
Finding an Older Obituary
Looking for something from five or ten years ago? That's where it gets tricky.
- The Official Archive: The funeral home's website has a "listings" section that goes back a significant way.
- Local Libraries: The Perry County District Library is a goldmine for the older stuff that predates the internet.
- Newspaper Databases: The Perry County Tribune or the Zanesville Times Recorder often carry these same notices, but sometimes with different photos or additional community comments.
Why Some Obituaries Look Different
Have you noticed how some roberts winegardner funeral home obituaries are incredibly long while others are just a few sentences?
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It basically comes down to what the family wants and, frankly, the cost of print. While the online version can be as long as a novel, newspapers charge by the inch. This is a common misconception—people think the funeral home "decides" the length. They don't. They just facilitate what the family provides.
The nuances in these local records are fascinating. You’ll see mentions of "Little Cities of Black Diamonds" or specific references to the coal mining heritage of the region. These details are what make a New Lexington obituary different from one in Columbus or Cleveland. It’s a very specific brand of Appalachian-Ohio history.
What to Do If You Can't Find a Specific Name
Sometimes a name doesn't pop up immediately. This happens for a few reasons:
- Privacy: Some families opt for a private service and choose not to publish an obituary at all.
- Pending Details: If the passing was very recent, the staff might still be waiting for the family to approve the final draft.
- Service Outside the County: If the person lived in New Lexington but passed away in a different facility or had services elsewhere, the obituary might be listed under a different home.
Actionable Steps for Researching
If you are currently trying to locate a record or plan a service, here is what actually works:
Start with the Source
Go directly to the Roberts-Winegardner website rather than a third-party site. You’ll avoid the annoying pop-up ads for flower deliveries that plague the bigger aggregate sites.
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Check the "Tribute Wall"
If you’re looking for a photo or a story about someone, click on the "Tribute Wall" tab on the specific obituary page. This is where the community leaves memories that aren't in the formal text.
Verify the Dates
Death dates and service dates are often confused in quick searches. Double-check if the date listed is the date of the service or the date of passing, as this affects where it will be filed in newspaper archives.
Contact Directly for Geneaology
If you are doing deep family tree research and the online record is thin, the funeral home staff can sometimes provide more context if you're a relative, though they are bound by privacy laws regarding certain documents.
The reality is that roberts winegardner funeral home obituaries serve as the primary historical record for Perry County residents. Whether it's a 92-year-old sports fanatic like Mary Altier or a local teacher who touched hundreds of lives, these records are the heartbeat of the town's history. Keeping track of them requires a mix of digital savvy and an understanding of the local family connections that define New Lexington.