Fred C. Oyler

BARBERTON---Fred Charles Oyler, 83, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2021 with his children by his side. Born September 18, 1937 he was immensely proud of his Barberton and Ohio roots. Fred was preceded in death by parents Bill and Isabel Oyler, sister Janice Underation, nephew Marc Underation, and former wife Sandra Ries. Left to celebrate his life are his children Denise (Ray) Blackert, Jeffrey Oyler, Wendy Oyler Welsh, 4 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, fur-baby Rudy, and a host of other special family and friends. Fred was a proud and hardworking man starting at the West Theater in Barberton as an usher when he was a teenager. As a young husband and father, he worked at the Yoder Brothers Greenhouses while his wife Sandy worked for various local florists to support their growing family. Fred and Sandy operated Portage Lakes Florist starting in 1969 and provided jobs for many relatives and friends over the years. According to former employees, it was a fun place to work. Fred also worked for other local florists in later years including Billy Bucks, The Flower Nook, and most recently Colonial Florist in Akron, where he was employed until the pandemic forced him into retirement against his will. Freddy’s relationships at Colonial were like family and very special to him. His children would like to offer a special thanks to John, Mary Beth, Beth, Ray, Joyce, and Priscilla for their love, friendship, and for always looking out for him. Fabulous Freddy was small of stature but larger than life in personality, stubborn as a mule, and tough as nails. He was always quick with a story or dirty joke, and freely shared his encyclopedic knowledge of sports facts and stats back to the beginning of time with anyone who would listen. He participated in countless golf and bowling leagues over the years and was even featured in the newspaper in 1984 for having shot a hole in one at Spring Hill Golf Course. Golf is a fickle game and Fred could be at times, too. One time he was over the moon excited about his brand new Fuzzy Zoeller golf clubs and couldn’t wait to get on the course to use them. He golfed the worst game of his life that day and was so angry that he sold them in the parking lot after only having used them that one time. He was a member of the infamous “Ohio 8” with his buddies who took a golf trip to Florence, SC every year in an RV. He loved seafood and during one of these trips it was rumored that he ate an oyster AND the shell one night on a dare. Told ya he was tough. An avid Ohio sports fan, Freddy loved to hang out at the Green Diamond and the Cliffside watching the Buckeyes, Browns, Indians and Cavs. One day, he even accidentally drove over the “cliff” in the Cliffside parking lot and lived to tell about it. He loved attending Ohio State and Mount Union football games. His prized possessions in life were his Browns and Buckeyes jackets, and all of his Barberton Magics apparel. He loved listening to music, especially his absolute favorites Buddy Holly, Neil Diamond, and Alan Jackson. Fred was an animal lover and we are sure he was greeted at the pearly gates by his special companions Cotton, Fuzzy, and Tarah. Fred loved cheese popcorn, potato chips, shrimp cocktail, chocolate pie, pecan sandies and an ice cold Michelob by the pool on a Sunday, or in the clubhouse after 18 holes. Fred’s family would like to thank Dr. Chuck Fuenning and staff, Dr. Julie Wallace and staff, Interim Healthcare, Cleveland Clinic/Akron General and Justin T Rogers Hospice Care Center for working so hard to help maintain Fred’s quality of life and dignity as he holed out on the 19th green. Cremation has taken place, and there will be a Celebration of Fred’s life at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 26, 2021 at SILVA-HOSTETLER FUNERAL HOME, 1199 Wooster Rd. West, Barberton. Pastor Jim Roma, officiating. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. prior to the service. You can watch the service virtually at https://gordon.zoom.us/j/98106189861. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Fred’s memory to The American Lung Association at www.lung.org. To share a memory, send a condolence or view his Video-Gift tribute, please visit www.Silva-Hostetler.com.

Fly high, Fabulous Freddy….. we love you dearly and will miss you until we see you again one day.

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