Eleanor Esther Karshner

     Eleanor Esther Karshner (née Smalley) passed away at her home, in accordance with her wishes, in the early hours of Sunday, February 16, 2025, just one day after her 86th birthday.  

     Eleanor was born February 14, 1939 to Esther and Elmo Smalley, also the parents of her siblings Gene (Norma Jean), Elmo Jr. (Karen), John (Diana), Betty, Jimmy, Patricia (Garrett). She and her siblings had a special bond their entire lives. 

     Growing up in Chillicothe, Eleanor was deeply embedded in the community. As a girl, she formed an unbreakable connection with her girlhood friends, The Crumbs, three of whom survive. She married David Karshner, who survives, in 1957 and began establishing a beautiful and tight knit family of Teresa (Jeff) Baker, Jeff, who survive, and Bryan, who predeceased her.  

     Perhaps one of the hardest working women the world has known, Eleanor was a largely self-taught treasurer at Unioto Schools, from which she retired after a long career. In addition to her day job, Eleanor was the face and co-proprietor of K-C Raceway, formerly and currently Atomic Speedway in Chillicothe for many years. She enjoyed being one of the matriarchs of the dirt racing community and continued as a fan for life. She was especially proud of her long-time friendship with Jeff Gordon, who raced at K-C Raceway as a teenager; the two have kept in touch since. Never idle, after retiring from Unioto, Eleanor was recruited to be the treasurer for Minford Local Schools, from which she also retired. She diligently commuted an hour each way five days a week in her sporty red Cadillac.  

     Eleanor cherished her family. She loved hosting dinners and family gatherings, spending time with her grandchildren and, later, great-grandchildren. She was tiny in stature, but larger than life in personality and love. She never failed to have seasonally appropriate decorations and was particularly proud of her Christmas tree each year. She was an avid sports fan, especially the Ohio State Buckeyes, her Dallas Cowboys, all forms of auto-racing, and more. Her granddaughters, Krystal (Rich) Geyer, Taylor (Colin) Uhrig, Paige (Ryan) Long, Brittany Baker, and Jordyn Fitzpatrick who were the loves of her life and she adored doting on them. Later in life, her great-grandchildren, Kash and Boston Uhrig, renewed her spirit and became sources of profound joy. She enjoyed yardwork, coffee, and spending time with her loving companion, Tedd Parrin and puzzle friend, Sam.  She will be deeply missed by those listed here and so many friends and extended family members whose lives she touched.

     The family is especially grateful to Adena Hospice for their patience, kindness, and guidance as they helped Eleanor to the next part of her journey.  

     Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, February 22, 2025 in Brookside Church with Pastor Ralph Hux officiating.  Burial will follow in Springbank Cemetery.  Friends may call at Brookside Church from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. prior to the funeral service on Saturday.

     In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Brookside Church 2215 Egypt Pike Chillicothe, OH 45601.

     You may sign her online register at www.warefh.com  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eleanor Esther Karshner, please visit our floral store.