In Memory of Patricia Ann McLaughlin Dressler ’53

Patricia Ann (McLaughlin) Dressler, 92, of Copley, Ohio passed away at the home of her daughter, on Thursday, May 18, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Massillon, Ohio on January 12, 1931 to D. Deane and Eleanor (Pearson) McLaughlin. In Massillon she met the love of her life, David, graduating with him from Massillon Washington High School in 1949. After spending a year at Wooster College, she transferred to The Ohio State University. She and David were married in 1953 and she received a BS in Nursing in 1954. Upon graduation she worked as a school nurse in Columbus until David completed dental school in 1956. David served as a dentist in the US Air Force from 1956 to 1959, and in 1960, they moved to Copley, where David established his dental practice.

In addition to raising five children, Pat loved attending the many activities of her children and grandchildren, attending over 5000 events, encompassing athletics, band and choir concerts, plays and musicals. She was a wonderful host of dinners, parties, and picnics at their home. A member of Copley United Methodist Church since 1960, she led and served in many ways – children’s music, choir, handbells, UMW, liturgist, and annual conference delegate. Pat also served the community – as PTA president, the Dental Auxiliary, which provided dental health education through marionette presentations to area schools, the Pilot Club (focusing on brain trauma awareness), as well as helping David with the Amateur Radio Clubs for Copley-Fairlawn Schools, and with the Academic Challenge competitions at Copley High School. Pat was also gifted at needlepoint and cross stitch. She and David were avid Ohio State fans, impressing the hospice nurses with her rendition of the fight song and alma mater.

She was preceded in death on October 14, 2018 by her loving husband of 64 years, David Dressler, brother James A. McLaughlin on January 27, 2023, brother-in-law James Gest, brother-in-law Donald Dressler, sister-in-law Dorothy Dressler, daughter-in-law Michele Dressler, niece Jennifer Orr, and great-grandson Gabriel Dressler.
She is survived by children, Jane (David) Richard, of Copley, Scott (Debora) Dressler, of Copley, Charles (Kelly) Dressler, of Wadsworth, Ohio, Barb (Dave) Knabe, of Copley, and Susan (Craig) Zeerip, of Fremont, Michigan; grandchildren, Steven (Amanda) Richard, Katharine (William) Wobser, Emily (Brent) Shearer; Abigail (Cody) Valiante, David (Marie), Daniel (Sofia) and Andrew (fiancée Colleen) Dressler; Ryan (Kelly), Michael (Jen), and Kevin (Theresa) Dressler; Connor and Carson Knabe; Justin (Jena), Brandon (Joanna), Collin (Mariah) Zeerip and Lauren (Elijah) Olsen; Jacob (Erika) and Jared (Hope) Greissing; and 19 great-grandchildren, Jack Zeerip, Theodore Dressler, Briana Zeerip, Sawyer Dressler, Eleanor Zeerip, Adeline Zeerip, Remington Dressler, Hailey Zeerip, Everly Olsen, Solomon Dressler, Ambrose Dressler, Bea Zeerip, Ava Greissing, Lillian Olsen, Owen Dressler, Isaac Zeerip, Giada Valiante, Maddox Dressler, and Dominic Dressler, with three more due this year.
She is also survived by her sister Beth Gest, of Issaquah, WA, sister-in-law, Susan McLaughlin of Morgantown, WV, nieces Amy Gest, of Seattle, WA, Beth McLaughlin, of North Ridgeville, Ohio, Lisa Orr of Pittsburgh, PA, Beth Dressler Boykin, of Louisville, KY, and nephews, James Gest, Jr. of Sammamish, WA, Alex McLaughlin of Charleston, WV, Douglas Dressler, of Carrollton, GA, in addition to many cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews.
The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to the home hospice staff of Cleveland Clinic Hospice, especially Donna and Ashley, for their loving care.