Lucinda ‘Cindy’ E. Elser, 70

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Lucinda “Cindy” Elaine (Holtschulte) Elser, 70, longtime resident of Tipp City, OH, died on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020, in Durham, NC, surrounded by her husband and two daughters.

Visitation will be held Friday, Jan. 8, from 5:30 to 6 p.m. at New Albany Church in New Albany, OH. Funeral services will follow, beginning at 6 p.m. at the church with Pastor Frank Luchsinger officiating. A second visitation will be conducted Saturday, Jan. 9, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Tipp City United Methodist Church in Tipp City, OH. An additional funeral service will follow, beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the church with Pastor Bonita Ritchie officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery in Tipp City, OH. Frings and Bayliff Funeral Home in Tipp City, OH, is assisting the family.

Mrs. Elser was born March 25, 1950, in Columbus, OH, to the Rev. A. Martin and Betty Holtschulte. She married Norman Elser in 1976, in Ney, OH, and he survives.

She attended numerous schools throughout her childhood as her father was a minister. She spent most of her time in New Albany, OH, but graduated from Northridge High School in 1968.

Mrs. Elser earned her bachelor’s of science degree in education from Ohio State University in 1972. She went on to receive a masters of science in education-educational administration in 1987 and a masters of science in education-school counseling in 1991 from the University of Dayton.

She taught in Farmer, OH, from 1972 to 1978; Payne, OH, from 1979 to 1983; and Bloom-Carrol, from 1984 to 1985. She spent most of her career at Milton Union, where she served as a special education teacher from 1985 to 2007, and retired after 35 years in education.

In the early 1990s, Mrs. Elser attended United Seminary in Dayton, OH, and worked at the Greenville United Methodist Church as a lay leader.

Music was a part of her life, from band, choir and musicals throughout high school, acting as the pianist and organist at her father’s churches, and being a church choir member at the Tipp City United Methodist Church. 

Mrs. Elser was a loyal fan of her Ohio State Buckeyes, Dayton Flyers and Duke Blue Devils after her daughter attended Duke University. She enjoyed knitting with her friends and making items to gift to others, including prayer shawls. She loved traveling the world, going on over 15 cruises and many road and air trips throughout her life.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughters, Heather Elaine (Jason) Smith and Emily (Bert) Ferreras; four grandchildren, Julianne, Ella and Abigail Cathrine Elaine Smith and Martin Ferreras; and brothers, Jeff Holtschulte and Joe Holtschulte of Hillsboro.

Mrs. Elser was preceded in death by her parents; and grandmother, Margret Laughman.

Online condolences to the family may be left at www.fringsandbayliff.com.