Dudley Bradford Shrider

Dudley Bradford Shrider, 76, of Napoleon, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. He was born in Van Wert, Ohio, on September 23, 1949, to the late Richard and Patricia (Agler) Shrider. Dudley liked people. He collected them and always had a story to entertain them, including the people he met during his work at Campbell's or as foreman at Sauder Woodworking; or while having his own residential painting business for many years; or his job of driving the buggy at Sauder Village, where he no doubt kept the visitors engaged with his friendly nature. Work life aside, his greatest pleasures were a mix of family and fun. Right from high school, his love of horse racing developed quickly as he ventured into a long career on the harness racing circuit. He would go on to own horses with brothers Mike and Jeff, and shared the passion with father-in-law Cecil as well as his brothers-in-law. Saturday trips to Raceway Park became a staple for his family to await the chance to race down from the stands into yet one more winner's photo. As a member of the United States Trotting Association, he knew the breeding lines forward and backward, and loved the many contacts he made on the Midwest harness racing circuit as well as the county fairs. He took great satisfaction in his work on the Henry County Fair Board, serving as Race Superintendent, a role of which he was especially proud. In 1972 he married Charlotte Strock of Liberty Center, whom he met while grooming horses for Charlotte's father Cecil. Family life soon followed with two daughters who have great memories of their doting dad. When it came to stories, no one told them better than Dudley. He'd set the scene with a little historical background, then he'd deliver the details, finishing off the tale with an amusing ending and a classic Dudley cackle and smile. Making people laugh – that was one of his specialties, whether at family gatherings, his "coffee clubs" at PeeWees and McDonald's, or visits with his kids and grandkids. Of his claims to fame, he was especially proud last year to become the oldest living Shrider male in history, making it to and then surpassing his 75th year, honored with a surprise birthday party attended by his many family members and friends. A lifelong Cincinnati Reds fan, you could always find him catching the games on TV, and watching Buckeyes’ basketball with Charlotte was one of their favorite pastimes. Family and friends were tops on his list, but of all the simple joys in his life, his most treasured were his grandkids and great-grandkids. "Grampy" was everything a grandpa should be, and so much more. They were all his pride and joy, and he made no mistake about making sure everyone knew it. Dudley is survived by his wife of 53 years, Charlotte; daughters Laurel (Jeffrey) Zawodny and Allison (Jason) Abbott; grandchildren Brett, Brook, Bailey, Emily, Lauren and Carter; great-grandchildren Brody, Bentley and Bridger; brothers Mike (Kathy) Shrider and Jeff (Sue) Shrider; and numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Friday, December 19, from 2–7 p.m. at Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home, Napoleon, as well as from 10-11 a.m. at the church on Saturday. Services will be held on Saturday, December 20, at 11 a.m. at Malinta United Methodist Church with Pastor Robert Palczewski and Cecily Rohrs officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or Mercy Ships. Online condolences may also be shared with the family at rodenbergergray.com.

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Dudley Bradford Shrider

September 23, 1949 - December 16, 2025