UPDATED September 19.
Pauline (Scheib) Dreitzler, age 82, died at 9:33 a.m. on September 16, 2024, at Lima Memorial Hospital.
Polly was born on November 22, 1941, in Maryland, to Robert Charles and Marion (Way) Scheib who preceded her in death.
Polly graduated from Piqua High School, and moved to New York City, where she spent ten years studying voice and sacred classical music, while serving as a nanny to a wonderful family.
Polly returned to Ohio where she married her first husband. She would say that the very best thing that came during that marriage was adopting her daughter, Meri, of whom she was very proud. After her divorce, Polly fiercely embraced the single parenting of Meri. In October of 1975, she married the love of her life, Richard (“Dick”) Dreitzler. They purchased a home in Elmore, which was a labor of love for them. On February 15, 1999, Dick lost his battle to cancer, much too soon.
While in Elmore, Polly worked as a bookkeeper in several businesses. She directed the drama club and plays/musicals at Woodmore from 1980-1984, and found a great love for her “drama kids.” She and Dick held epic dart gun wars and parties with those students. She loved singing in the Toledo Chorale and in choirs at Collingwood Presbyterian Church and many special appearances as featured vocalist. In the summers she provided special music at many churches.
After Dick died, Polly spent time living in Columbus Grove and Huber Heights, before moving to Bluffton next to her daughter and son-in-law. The greatest joys in her years in Bluffton were the three great grandchildren who called her “Gigi.”
Polly joined Kettering Seventh Day Adventist Church and made many friends in music and worship. Even after moving to Bluffton she attended virtual church every Sabbath and found a Bible study group that met online Wednesday nights.
Polly is survived by her daughter, Meri (Rick) Skilliter of Bluffton; grandchildren, Evan (Rachel) Skilliter of Bluffton, Jordan (Nicole) Skilliter of Napoleon, and Braden (Constance) Skilliter of Ottawa; and her great-grandchildren, Callum, Lena, and Booker.
She was preceded in death by both parents, and her beloved husband, Richard Dreitzler, her siblings, Peggy, Bill, David, Donald, and John, who no doubt are harmonizing together once again.
Polly’s wishes were to have no viewing or service. She wanted to be buried next to her husband, at Knollcrest in Arcadia, Ohio. There will be a private celebration of life by immediate family at a later date, and a gathering of her much loved nieces, nephews and siblings in law, also at a later date.
Those that wish to make memorial donations in her memory can direct them to Bluffton EMS, as she and her family are so grateful for their compassionate responses and care since she moved here. If you want to support the purchase of the grave marker for Polly and Dick, you can send to Rick Skilliter, 623 Harmon Rd., Bluffton, Ohio, 45817.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com/
