Ellen J Beidler

Ellen Beidler, our beloved matriarch, who lived a life rich in its tapestry, with a loving heart, an adventurous spirit and a kindness in her soul that drew people to her, passed into the arms of her Savior on March 11, 2023. She was born in Canton, Ohio to James and Rose Feim.

In the 1950s, Ellen attended Kent State University, where she lived on campus, often referring to those times as some of the best years of her life. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education and met her future husband, William Beidler, whom she married in 1957. They were a dynamic couple. They had a son Craig and a daughter Kelley. – In Ellen’s words, “a rich man’s family”. This was also the time when she began doing charity work and had a longstanding membership with WITAN, giving tirelessly of her time in support of the Akron community for many decades. Ellen was an avid bridge player, reader, and animal lover.

Ellen’s true passion in life was always for the betterment of children and was reflected in the way she chose to live her life. In the 1970s, her most gratifying job was teaching fourth grade and sixth grade at Richardson Elementary School in Cuyahoga Falls. Ellen loved her students, and they loved her. To this day we hear stories from her former students about the positive influence she had on their lives and that she was, indeed, their favorite teacher.  After establishing a teaching career, Ellen pursued a Master of Arts degree in Communication at Kent State, and subsequently worked as a licensed children’s social worker in Southern California.

By the late 1980s, Ellen was teaching psychology and sociology at Stark State College. She started the Akron area’s first nanny agency, Me and My Nannie, with one of her best friends from college. The nanny agency thrived for over 10 years. During that time, she also served as Executive Director of the Herbert W. Hoover Foundation in Canton, retiring at the age of 70. While at the Foundation, she was appointed to the Ohio Site Committee for The National First Ladies Library.

 Ellen was a deeply devoted mother and a proud grandmother to Craig, Matthew, and Kai, who were the lights of her life. A devout Christian, Ellen was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Lou. She is survived by her son, Craig, daughter, Kelley and son-in-law, Scott; sister, Joan and brother-in-law, Pete Pedroff, sister, Norma Feim; former husband, William Beidler; daughter-in-law, Sheri, and all her grandchildren, along with nieces, nephews and many friends.

A special thank you to her sister Joan Pedroff and her dear friend Janis Mosteller for their love and support of our mother, especially in recent years. We would also like to express our heartfelt appreciation to CJ and Dasia and all staff at The Avenue in Macedonia for their kind and loving care.

Friends may call on Monday, March 20th, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Billow FALLS Chapel, 1907 23rd St. Cuyahoga Falls, with a service beginning at 2:00 p.m. with Father Kevin McCaffrey. Private interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ellen’s name to either savethechildren.org or oneofakindpets.com. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.