Ava Mae Winner
Surrounded by the unconditional love of her family and friends, our sweet Ava Mae went to her eternal home on Wednesday July 5, 2023, following a courageous 4 ½ year battle with medulloblastoma.
Ava Mae Winner was born in Coshocton on March 12, 2009 to Dan and Melissa (Roenbaugh) Winner. Ava completed her family. From the time she was young, her bubbly personality brought happiness to all she met. Her smile was contagious and her friends were many, as her kind heart captured others. Ava loved learning, which reflected in her being an honor student at Warsaw Elementary School and River View Junior High School. Music was one of Ava’s many passions. She played piano, was in the Warsaw Elementary Honor Choir, the Junior High Choir, and STYLE Show Choir. Ava had a creative flair and especially loved her art classes and art therapy. She spent many hours on Pinterest planning parties and researching how to reuse products.
Ava was a multi-sport athlete, playing volleyball, softball, basketball and cheerleading. She especially cherished the time she spent with her volleyball teammates. Her competitive nature showed not only through sports, but through playing Fortnite with her Dad, cards with her cousins, and wrestling with her brothers. She entertained her friends and family with her funny personality and silliness.
Ava was the 2015 Coshocton Canal Jr Queen and served on the 2019 Canal Princess Court. She had a special place in her heart for 4-H Camp, throwing Halloween parties, and upcycling to protect the environment. Her giving nature was evident in her urge to serve others and make the world a better place.
Ava was strong in her faith. She was a member of Keene United Methodist Church and thoroughly enjoyed her yearly experiences at Roscoe UMC VBS, first as a participant and later as a crew leader. Her faith was affirmed during Ava’s courageous battle against cancer which lasted almost a third of her Earthly life. During this time, she handled herself with great optimism and determination. She endured many challenges along the way, but chose to find blessings and bright spots in each and every day. She never allowed the darkness of her disease to break her strong and determined spirit. The tenacity and bravery that she exhibited during this time became a beacon of light that inspired others going through their own struggles.
Ava was a kind, empathetic soul and took comfort in knowing her challenges helped to encourage others. Ava participated in clinical trials for her disease that will help in the research of brain cancer for years to come.
In addition to her parents, Ava is survived by a multitude of loving family and friends, including brothers Brendan Shrimplin, Brady Winner and Ashton Winner; grandmothers Lynn Roenbaugh and Debbie D’Ostroph; aunts and uncles Amanda “Auntie Shae” (Tony) Meiser, Mark (Tabitha Gosselin) Roenbaugh, and Michelle Winner; and cousins Maddy Meiser, Sophie Meiser, Lucas Meiser, Briana (Eugene) Hosfelt, Caleb Geog and Andy Geog; bonus grandparents Tom and Ellyn Meiser; special aunts and uncles Phyllis and Lee Debnar, Rex and Debbie Snyder, and Steve Snyder.
Ava was preceded in death by grandfathers David Roenbaugh and Danny Winner; great-grandparents Gwenn and Roy Snyder, LaDonna and Theodore Winner, Earl and Rachel Roenbaugh, Elmo “Pat” Patterson, and William and Louise Holskey; and great-aunt and uncle Margaret Lou and Raymond Pew.
Ava was a wonderful, caring friend and leaves behind many special bonds created with teammates, school friends, medical staff and her dogs Finn and Roscoe.
Join us in celebrating a young woman whose smile lit up a room and who made friends wherever she went. Calling hours will be held Tuesday, July 11th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm & 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Lake Park Pavilion, 23253 State Route 83 Coshocton, OH 43812. Funeral services at the pavilion are Wednesday, July 12th at 1:00 pm, with Pastor Paula Marbury officiating. Private burial will follow at Roscoe Cemetery. Fischer Funeral Home is assisting the family. A video recording of the funeral service will be available on Ava’s obituary page on the funeral home website, www.fischerfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted at Park National Bank to help with funeral expenses, 229 N. 3rd St. Coshocton, OH 43812. The family also wants to honor Ava’s heart of service by using any additional funds donated to help others, including children struggling with long term illnesses. Alternatively, please consider donations to Ronald McDonald House Charities, as Ava and her family benefited time and time again from their hospitality. www.rmhc.org
Category: Obituaries
