David E. Oberlin

David E. Oberlin, 96, of Jackson Twp. passed away at his home on Monday, May 13, 2024. Born in Mansfield, Ohio to Ray C. and Esther Hess Oberlin, June 10, 1927, he graduated from Mansfield Senior High School in 1945 and moved to Massillon to reside with his uncle and aunt, Charles S. and Anna Oberlin Stough. He attended Western Reserve University, graduated from the College of Wooster and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences of the University of Pennsylvania, where he received his Masters in Classical Studies in 1950. On August 9,1952 he married Beverly J. West of Euclid, OH, whom he met at Wooster. They thereupon sailed to Europe visiting London, Paris and Rome before becoming students at the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, Greece for six months. They then participated in the University of Pennsylvania’s 1953 summer archaeological expedition at Gordion, Turkey, and then worked at the University site at Kourion, Cyprus.

In 2014, David received a book, “Classical Spies -American Archaeologists with the OSS in World War II Greece”, by Susan Heuck Allen. To his astonishment he learned that many of the professors he studied under at the American School and at the Gordian expedition had been important American spies helping the Greeks against the invaders from Italy and Germany during the war. After returning to Massillon in 1954, David began his teaching career at Washington High School, beginning with one half year of Mechanical Drawing and History until finally teaching English and 2nd, 3rd and 4th year Latin. In 1960, Stark County Latin teachers formed an organization so that their students could come together each year for Olympic Day at Brunnerdale Seminary. The highlight of this event was the chariot races; each school constructed its own chariot that was pulled by two boys and then two girls. Later an Academic challenge program consisting of questions on the Latin language, classical mythology, history, and archaeology was added.

In 1965 David served as president of the Ohio Classical Conference, an association of secondary school Latin teachers and college professors of Latin, Greek and Classical Archaeology. During the spring session of the 1969-1970 school year, he taught a course of advanced Latin at Walsh College after his regular high school schedule. He retired in 1985 after 31 ½ years having served as chairman of the foreign language department and as chairman of the English department. In April 1987, Mayor Delbert Demmer appointed David to a two year term on the Historic Preservation Committee of Massillon.

David was a 80 year member of Central Presbyterian Church, also a member of Spring Hill Historic Home, Massillon Heritage Foundation and the Ohio Genealogical Society. He greatly enjoyed researching family genealogy (his great, great, great grandfather Adam Oberlin, a revolutionary War veteran, and his great, great grandfather Peter Oberlin are buried in Stanwood Cemetery outside Massillon) and traveling in the U.S., Canada, South America and Europe.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Beverly, his wife of 70 years; his brother Jack and his wife Jean Oberlin of Mansfield; his niece Judith Burke and nephew Jack Jr. He is survived by his daughter Tracy (Richard) Wilder of Jackson Twp.;his granddaughter Amy (Michael) Grinstead and his great grandson Benjamin Grinstead of Grove City, OH.; nieces, Julie (David) Murphy, Jayne Baker and nephew, Jim (Libby) Oberlin. The family would like to express their extreme gratitude to all the caregivers of Home Instead, Massillon. Although there were many, we would like to acknowledge a few who cared for him the longest: Amy, Erin, Susan, David, Lacey and Stephanie. Both of my parents wishes were to be able to stay in their home and with the support of many well trained caregivers since October of 2020, it was achieved. As per his wishes, there will be no calling hours or memorial service. A private family inurnment will be in the West family plot at Lakeview Cemetery, Cleveland. Memorial contributions may be made to Central Presbyterian Church, Massillon, OH.