Samuel F. Pfahler

Samuel F. Pfahler, 91, of Goshen died Saturday, January 3, 2026 on hospice at Goshen Hospital.

Sam lived a full life, being born to Glen and Verona (Flick) Pfahler, a farming family in Tiro, Ohio on May 24, 1934.

Sam didn’t love the farming life and left the family homestead at 18 to pursue a college degree at Ohio State University in History/Education with the dream of becoming a coach- likely of basketball, which was one of the many sports he excelled at in school. That dream lasted for approx. 9 weeks when he decided to join the US Army, where he served a 2-year term.

After his military career, he started working at the Shelby Depot where he met Mona Lou. After several requests, she said yes to a date, within 6 weeks they were engaged, and married within 6 months.

On November 25, 1956 he married Mona Lou Neff in Crestline, Ohio in a church service filled with family and friends. Their marriage lasted 65 years, and she preceded him in death on February 25, 2022.

He is survived by five children, Pam (John) Roberts of Goshen; Kim (Ken) Jones of White Pigeon, Michigan; Doug (Shannon Miller) Pfahler of Rochester; Lee (Karen) Pfahler of Goshen and Nathan (Jennifer) Pfahler, ofBrownsburg; nine grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and numerous step-grandchildren.

Along with his parents and wife, Mona Lou, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Leah Grace Pfahler and a great-granddaughter, Ellie Su An Roberts.

He was a long-time member of Plymouth United Church of Christ, serving as an ordained deacon, on the church board, and led adult Bible study classes for several years.

Sam’s working career spanned 2 states and several companies. He retired from Chore-Time Brock in 1997 and worked for several years after at the local John Hall’s True Value Hardware in downtown Goshen where he became known as “the best keymaker in town”.

A private graveside service with military honors will take place at Violett Cemetery, Goshen.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Goshen Home Care and Hospice or Plymouth Church of Christ.

Yoder-Culp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.