Jay W. Dupler

Throughout Jay’s life, he wore many hats, and served many people. First, he wore the hat of a steady provider and adoring husband to his loving wife of 67 years, Doris Jean Dupler, which gave way to attentive and capable father to daughter, Brenda (Jeff) Graf and son, Clark Dupler. His granddaughters know a proud, doting Papa: Shannon (David) Fish, Hilary Skeens, Natalie (Andrew) Curtis, Claire (Vaughn) Hamrick, and Lindsey Dupler. His affection multiplied with the arrival of his great-grandchildren: Elizabeth and Emily Ansara-Milbaugh, Liam and Finn Curtis (“Hi, Busters!”), Lucy (Papa’s itty bit) and Willow (little squirt) Fish, Lane and Clive Hamrick, Eli (Papa’s constant companion) and Chloe Skeens. He was brother to Carlos (Ann Jane) Dupler and Barbara Cozad, and uncle to his nieces and nephews.

Jay attended Berne Union High School, was a member of the basketball and football teams, as well as donning the plume of a trumpet player in the band. He exchanged a graduation mortar for the family grocery business joining his late parents, Jay Dee and Martha Dupler. He purchased the store and became a Sugar Grove community pillar, providing not only food, but support and compassion for all of Dupler’s Store customers for 25 years. After retiring, he grabbed a ballcap to drive an RV for travel across the States with Doris; read on the beach near their snowbird home in Nokomis, Florida; and play some tennis and plenty of golf.

Jay was a member of St. Peters’ Lutheran Church, a forty plus year member of Lancaster Lions’ Club and Fairfield County Charity Newsies. He wore the crest of the Republican Party after being elected Chairman for Fairfield County in 1975, during which time he served on many local, state, and national campaigns and transition committees. He performed duties under four Ohio governors as a member of the Ohio Motor Vehicle Dealers’ licensing board. Elected to the Fairfield County Board of Elections, he served for twenty years. In 1983, he was voted President of the Ohio Association of Election Officials and was awarded an honorary lifetime membership for his excellent work in that prestigious position.

Jay Wally, as he was affectionately known, leaves a legacy of service and leadership, of living life to the fullest, and knowing that laughter is often the best medicine. Visitation will take place Tuesday, March 15, 2022 from 9:30-11am at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Lancaster, Ohio with services to honor his life at 11:00am. Graveside service to follow at Maple Grove Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 105 E. Mulberry St., Lancaster, OH 43130 or the Lancaster-Fairfield Charity Newsies, P.O. Box 1443, Lancaster, OH 43130.