Sylvia VanAtta

Millions recently watched a total lunar eclipse. The family of Sylvia (Greer) VanAtta, age 83, experienced a forever eclipse when she peacefully passed in her sleep at home from her earthly life to her eternal life on April 7, 2024. Sylvia was born on August 30,1940 in Scarbro, West Virginia to Ballard Greer and Linda (Meade) Greer. She was one of 15 surviving children. In her childhood, Sylvia spent a lot of time at her grandma Meade’s house on Meade Branch on Abbott Mountain in Kentucky. She roamed the hills and "hollers”, swam in "cricks" and swung on grapevines. She threw rocks at whatever caught her eye and rolled bigger rocks down the hills. She was feisty, and she never backed down from a fight either against or defending her siblings. Sylvia attended various schools in Kentucky and Ohio, the last being Harden Northern in Dola, Ohio. She married as a teenager and soon became a mother herself.

At the age of 23, Sylvia lost her beloved mother to cancer. At different times, she took in 2 of her younger brothers until they joined the service. Later, for a while, she also took in the young son of one of those same brothers. As a grandmother, Sylvia often watched and took care of several of her grandchildren when their parents worked. Sylvia’s family could always count on her willingness to give financial and emotional support. Sylvia was known for her red hair and her bouffant and beehive hairdos. She was a true fashionista before the word existed. She had a ready laugh, and she laughed often. She loved to dance, socialize and play euchre. For most of her life, Sylvia was a caring and hardworking nurses aid, and her back paid the price. She worked at the Bluffton Mennonite Home and later at the Arlington Good Samaritan Center. She officially retired from Sam's Club in Lima as a food demo lady.

Sylvia was a dedicated mother of five. She loved mightily, fiercely and unconditionally. She was a working mom in a time when many were stay at home moms. Even so, she was there for the important events in their lives. She was strict and expected them to "tow the line," but she was there to help when they made mistakes. When she remarried, she gained five older stepchildren who she loved.

Sylvia was a strong woman who survived breast cancer, lung cancer, back surgeries, a repaired aneurysm and a stroke. She experienced a total loss of her home in a fire and the losses of her husband, her son, her stepson and a granddaughter. After her stroke, Sylva moved to the Cincinnati area. She lived with her two daughters and her nephew.

In her later years, Sylvia enjoyed watching TV from her recliner. She said she missed out watching TV because she worked so much. She laughed hard at Home Improvement, Americas Funniest Home Videos and The Big Bang Theory, especially at Sheldon. She also watched Young Sheldon, The Good Doctor, Call the Midwife, Finding Your Roots and "cowboy shows.” Facebook was a blessing to Sylvia because she could be shown pictures and videos of family members both near and far. She would smile and touch the screen like she was touching her loved ones faces. She especially looked forward to the weekly visits of two of her great-grandchildren and to family reunions.

In recent years, Sylvia's body began to give out on her little by little, especially her legs and back. It was painful and difficult for her to get around. Her ready laugh and smile came less and less as she came to sleep more and more. On her final night, she said "I want to go home." When she got into bed, she gave a big sigh and said her bed felt "so good.”

Sylvia is survived by her children Rita Gould and MeLinda Steele both of Cincinnati, Keith (Kelly) Risner of Myrtle Beach SC and George (Michelle) Risner of Mt. Cory OH; step-children Diane (Dale) Nicholson of Williamstown OH, Linda (Art) Kloop of Tiffin OH, Greg VanAtta of Arcadia OH and Dan (Cindy) VanAtta of Kenton OH; daughters-in-law Pam Risner of Rawson OH and Jody VanAtta of Port St. Lucie FL; 34 grandchildren; 74 great - grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. Sylvia is also survived by siblings Gwendolyn (Paul) Crowe, Burl (Joan) Greer, Marlene Hurt, Gerelene (Ross) Draper, Alvin (Julie) Greer, Audrey Greer and a large extended family. Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents; husband John VanAtta; first husband George Risner; son Michael Risner; step-son Steve VanAtta, grand-daughter Danielle VanAtta; brothers Claude, Harold, Merlin, Carl, Melvin and Don; and sisters Phyllis Greer and Neola Zechman.

Sylvia wished to be cremated. On May 4, 2024, friends and family may gather from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at the Arlington United Methodist Church. A simple Celebration of Life will follow the visitation. Online condolences may be sent to www.browndawsonflick.com

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