Adena Kay Fraley

Adena Kay Fraley, 60, of Sylvania, OH, passed away Wednesday, January 16, 2008, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Toledo. She was born on January 29, 1947, in Creston, IA, and was the only child of Kenneth and Evelyn (Grimm) Boltinghouse. Adena attended Lenox Community Schools in Iowa, and graduated with the class of 1965. During that same year, Adena was installed as Worthy Advisor of the Order of Rainbow for Girls, where she had been a member since 1960. Adena graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 1969, with a Bachelors of Science, in Education. After attending the University of South Carolina and the University of Toledo, she received her Masters of Science in Education from Northwest Missouri State University, in 1973. Adena taught first grade for the School District of St. Joseph, Missouri, three years; first grade for Spartanburg City Schools, Spartanburg, SC, one year. After moving to Ohio, Adena was an Educational Programming Consultant with Project PLAN for Sandusky County Schools, in Ohio, for one year. Adena was nominated as a Jennings Scholar in 1979 and has published for a nationally circulated publication for teachers. Adena was selected as a Teacher of the Year for Sylvania, OH, Schools and in the same year was also nominated for the Ohio State Teacher of the Year Award as well. Adena received the Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year Award in 2005. Nominated by a former student, she appeared in the Who's Who Among American Teachers, in 2005. For the past 34 years, she was a second grade teacher at Stranahan Elementary, retiring in May 2007, for the Sylvania City Schools, Sylvania, OH. On April 6, 1958, Adena gave her life to Christ and became a member of the Lenox Iowa Christian Church. She was an organist, pianist, and Sunday School teacher as well as a Vacation Bible School teacher. Church membership was placed at Boulevard Church of Christ, Sylvania, OH, November 9, 1986 On June 19, 1971, Adena married Paul Houston Fraley at the Lenox Christian Church. After their marriage, they made their first home in Spartanburg, SC. In 1980 they made their home in Sylvania, OH. They welcomed their firstborn child, John Houston Fraley, into the world on March 19, 1980 and their second child, Elizabeth Ann Fraley, on April 24, 1983. Adena always enjoyed spending time at home with her husband and children. In 1973, Adena and Paul purchased a fourth-generation farm house from her parents in Iowa. The family has enjoyed spending countless hours of quality time together in the peaceful country setting. With her son John, she attended art exhibits and local galleries where his work was on display. Adena enjoyed being able to spend time with her son and see his many artistic talents. She also spent time with her daughter Elizabeth, traveling around the U.S. to several gymnastics competitions. Adena enjoyed the time with Elizabeth and celebrating her athletic accomplishments. Adena will be remembered as a loving mother and wife. Being an accomplished educator and community member, she touched the lives of many. Left to cherish Adena's memory is her husband, Paul H. Fraley; son, John H. Fraley and daughter, Elizabeth A. Fraley, all of Sylvania, OH; aunts, Arlene Grimm of Winterset, IA and Marianne Grimm of Scottsdale, AZ, along with a host of other relatives and friends. Adena was preceded in death by her parents. Friends are invited to visit from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, in the Boulevard Church of Christ, 7041 Sylvania Avenue, where funeral services will follow at 4 p.m. Adena will be taken back to Lenox, IA for funeral services and interment in North Fairview Cemetery on Wednesday. Memorial contributions may be made to Boulevard Church of Christ. Ansberg-West Funeral Directors (419) 472-7633.