Juanita (Kretzer) Chafin, born July 9, 1935 in Van Lear, KY, departed this life on September 18, 2025 at Life Care Center of Elyria, OH under the care of Crossroads Hospice. She was a resident with her son in Eaton Township in Lorain County, OH since 2020, but had been in long-term care since 2022. She celebrated her 90th birthday on July 6 along with her beloved family who joined to give thanks for her long and joy-filled life.
Juanita was a graduate of Ceredo-Kenova High School class of 1953 and soon afterward entered her career as a legal stenographer for Inland Mutual Insurance Company of Huntington, WV. During her early marriage to Rev. H. Thomas “Tom” Chafin, she resided in her adopted “hometown” of Ceredo, WV until later in life they settled in Huntington where she resided until moving to live with their only son, Rev. David T. Chafin of Eaton Township.
Because her father, William Wesley Kretzer, lost his life in a mining accident when she was 9 days old, she remained very close to her mother, Nannie (Cartmell) Kretzer, throughout her life until her passing in 1985. Her beloved siblings passed away over the years, but she was often remembering Clarence, William (Dolly Crossen), Josephine, Beatrice (Mordecai Eagleston), Robert (Alice Connell), and Homer (Maxine Ramey). She kept her eye on beloved Kretzer nephews and niece, as well as those of her Chafin family.
Juanita’s deep faith in God was nurtured from her childhood by her devoted family. She was a “performer” at heart, and she was often known to offer her solo voice to any given church she found herself in. Her love of music was reflected in her son’s endeavors in the craft, and her joy in singing was often heard by worshipers around the WV-OH-KY tri-state area.
After her retirement, she spent her time watching and helping to raise granddaughters Leslee Elisabeth (Jeremy Martin) andKatelyn Anne (Dennis Schmidt), and came to adore her great-grandchildren: Madelyn, Lillia, Emmelia, Desmond, Caleb, Jacob, and Gracie, as well as step-grandchildren Scott Waggoner (Elizabeth) and Christie (Ben Needham) and their childrenAaron, Len, Rosemary, William, Isaac, and Erik.
Her church membership went where she went, and most recently was in the care of North Eaton Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Grafton, OH, where her son David is pastor, though she was unable to attend. Her time spent in United Methodist, Christian Baptist, and independent congregations through the years were formative to her and a blessing to them. She will be remembered and cherished by all who were her beloved family and a few close friends, and she looked forward to the resurrection life with so many who have gone before her. She carries her prayers for many beloved people to the Throne of God as she joins the Church Triumphant. May her memory be eternal.
A grave-side service will be led by her son at the Maple Hill Cemetery at 11:30 am on Wednesday, September 24. There will be no visitation. Rollins Funeral Home of Kenova, WV is responsible for her arrangements.
The family wishes to extend great thanks to both the staff and administration of Life Care of Elyria and that of Crossroads Hospice for their exceptional care and generous expressions of love for Juanita and the family. Also, the responsiveness, guidance, and excellent services of Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home of Elyria was also invaluable in these last days. Their attention to every need did not go unnoticed.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to any responsible mission of care for children or animals in her memory. Condolences may be sent to dtchafin@gmail.com.