Orval A. Schoolcraft

Orval A Schoolcraft , 85 of Navarre Ohio, died Thursday, February 2nd at Country Lawn Nursing Home after a prolonged illness.

Born in Wellsville Ohio, he was the son of the late Orval and Thressa Schoolcraft. He retired in 2004 after a long career in banking, finance, and insurance.

He was a historian, focusing on the American Civil War, and served on the Knights of the Round table , and gave many presentations on the radio and in person to various organizations. Orval, his dad and brother all participated in the 100-year re-enactment battles across most of the major battlefields of the Civil War including Gettysburg.

Orval was elected the mayor of Dellroy, Ohio and served a two-year term. He was quite a character, quick with a joke and many “sayings” which his family has collected over the years, and endearingly labeled as “Orvalisms.”

Preceded in death by parents (Orval and Thressa Schoolcraft), his brother (William Schoolcraft) and his daughter (Mary Snyder), he is survived by his son Mark Schoolcraft and his wife Gina, his daughter Sharon Arenofsky, grandchildren Vanessa Hamilton, Natalie Schoolcraft, Stephanie Schoolcraft, Kyle Arenofsky, Jake McQuaid, Alyssa Schoolcraft, and Roman Schoolcraft, and great grand-daughter’s Maleah Hamilton and Chloe Roehrig.

A small gathering and celebration of his life will be held at Paquelet Funeral Home in Massillon Ohio at 5pm Wednesday, February 8th.

Memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s foundation or Alcoholic’s Anonymous.