Farrel L. (Adams) Kaplan

Farrel L. (Adams) Kaplan, 96, of Sidney, Ohio, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on April 25, 2023, at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio.  She was born February 12, 1927 on her grandfather’s farm in Auglaize County Ohio,   the same farm where her mother was born.  Farrel was the daughter of Harold and Julia (Helmlinger) Adams. Farrel married John Kaplan on March 4, 1956 and raised a family of 3 sons and a daughter.

Farrel is survived by her children, David (Connie) Kaplan of Greenville; Steven (Patty) Kaplan of Troy; Barbara (Kaplan) Dembski of Sidney; daughter-in-law, Marjorie Kaplan-Schoonmaker of Adrian, Michigan; five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.  Farrel was preceded in death by her husband, John Kaplan, son, Michael Kaplan, three siblings Carl and Ralph Adams, and Helen Furry, and both her parents.

Farrel was very active in her community and loved to volunteer. She was a past president and active member of Sacred Heart Altar Rosary Society, past president of Church Women United of Shelby County, a Eucharistic Minister at Holy Angels, co-founder and Director Emeritus of FISH of Shelby County, volunteered at the Shelby County Historical Society, and a charter member and trustee of the original Board of Trustees of the Senior Center of Sidney-Shelby County.  She also was the first ever secretary for Holy Angels Elementary School.  Farrel lived her life by her favorite inspirational saying, “It is better to light a candle, than curse the darkness.”   

John and Farrel were named Shelby County Citizens of the Year in 1992 and Farrel was honored in 2006 with the “Humanitarian of the Year” Award by the American Red Cross.    

In addition to all her community service work, Farrel enjoyed playing bridge and teaching others how to play.  She also enjoyed reading and traveling. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her friends and family. She was loved by many and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, May 1, 2023, at 10:30 AM at Holy Angels Catholic Church with Fr. Steve Mondiek.  Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery.  Family and friends may call Sunday, April 30, 2023, from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, and Monday, May 1, 2023 from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM at Salm-McGill & Tangeman Funeral Home in Sidney. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.salm-mcgillandtangemanfh.com. Memorials may be made to Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sidney, Ohio or FISH of Shelby County. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Landings of Sidney and Neuroscience staff at Miami Valley Hospital for all their help and care. Salm-McGill and Tangeman Funeral Home is honored to be taking care of the Kaplan family.    

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