Naomi Nadine Mantle

Naomi "Nadine" Mantle (nee Hensley), age 88 of Dayton, Ohio, passed away on Thursday, March 6, 2025. Nadine was a native of Oliver Springs, TN. In the mid-1950s, she followed her sister to Dayton, Ohio, where she met the love of her life, George Thomas Mantle, and the two were married in 1957. By 1962, they were blessed with four children, two sons and two daughters. Nadine dedicated herself as a homemaker, raising their children, while George provided for the family through his business.

Nadine's life was marked by resilience. In 1972, while visiting her mother in Tennessee, she suffered severe burns in a grease fire. The injuries resulted in a long and painful recovery. Tragically, during this time, she also lost her mother the same year. These hardships led to a deep period of depression that lasted eight years. However, in 1981, Nadine experienced a profound healing through prayer, which inspired her to devote the rest of her life to serving others.

She famously said, "I asked God to give me the ones no one else wants." with that, she began feeding the homeless in Dayton. She and George started by making sandwiches and delivering them to those in need under overpasses and in parks. In 1987, Nadine officially founded The Heart for the Homeless, initially serving meals on the sidewalk in front of the YMCA on Monument Street. Over the years, she secured spaces in various facilities, including Miami Jacobs Business College, Brown Street Nazarene Church, and the Dayton Democratic Party headquarters on Wilkinson Street, where she served for 12 years. Her ministry became one of the only consistent sources of food for the homeless on weekends in downtown Dayton, sometimes feeding up to 700 people in a single day.

Nadine worked closely with local leaders. Through her tireless efforts, she provided not only meals but also essential supplies such as meal kits, grooming kits, school supplies, and holiday gifts. She organized annual Fourth of July picnics, Easter dinners, and Christmas celebrations to ensure that everyone felt cared for during the holidays.

Despite never learning to drive, Nadine made it to every feeding, always trusting that "the Lord will provide a way." Her work was supported by many area businesses as well as numerous Dayton-area churches and organizations. Her children, Jim, Janice, Jerry, and Julia Mantle, along with extended family, played key roles in supporting her mission.

Nadine continued her ministry until 2012, retiring at the age of 75 due to health issues. Over 31 years, her work fed over 200,000 people and provided hope to countless individuals in need. She received multiple proclamations and letters of recognition for her service to the Dayton community.

In retirement, she remained a beacon of kindness, always ready with a smile and a warm word for everyone she met. Her legacy of faith, resilience, and compassion will forever be remembered by her family, friends, and the many lives she touched.

Nadine was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George Mantle; brothers William (Florence), Allen (Lucille), and Kenneth (Kathrine); and sisters Lois Heidle (Herbert) and Evelyn Walker (Calvin). She is survived by son James, daughter Janice (Robin), son Gerald "Jerry" (Lisa), and Daughter Julia (Robert Rogers); grandchildren, Justin (Emily), Jessica Beck (Jeremy), Neil Rogers, Lori Rogers, (Mike Morris) Emily Rogers (Adam Flory), and great-grandchildren, Greyson, Owen and Rose, Illyana Beck, Cooper Wemmer. Koehler Morris, Kallie Parsons, and Kendall Flory, extended family, and the many volunteers and community members who supported her mission.

The family will receive friends and loved ones for a visitation on Friday, March 21, from 5 PM - 8 PM at Tobias Beavercreek.

A celebration of Nadine’s life will be held at 10:45 AM on Saturday, March 22, at Tobias Funeral Home - Beavercreek Chapel. Burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Nadine lived giving to the homeless and needy. If you would like to contribute, Nadine would be touched if you made contributions in her name to organizations that support the needy.

A special thanks to the administrators, nurses and aides at Blossom Park of Bethany Lutheran Village for their compassion and excellent care that Nadine received while there.