Karen Bleadingheiser Obituary

Karen Zimmerman Bleadingheiser,76 of Perrysville, Ohio passed away peacefully after a brief battle with cancer on June 29th, 2025 at the Medina County Hospice House. She was surrounded by family and dear friends who were singing one of her favorite hymns when she entered into the presence of the Lord.
Karen was the oldest child of Willard and Ester Zimmerman. She was born in Winchester, Indiana on March 13th, 1949. She graduated from Olivet Nazarene University, in 1971. Married James (Jim) Jay Bleadingheiser on July 9th, 1977.
She grew up in Indiana, lived in Illinois for College, and then moved to North Carolina. There Karen met and married Jim and welcomed two children Ray and Beth into their family. Eastern North Carolina was home for Jim and Karen until they moved to Perrysville, Ohio in 2022.
Karen was a dedicated and loving servant of Jesus, her family, and the church. She was proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. Karen was a quiet, loyal, faithful servant of God. Karen was an active member of any church she was a part of. She also played the piano and organ for the churches she was involved in. Most recently, the Loudonville Church of the Nazarene.
Karen loved baking, sewing, doing cross-stitch, and visiting lighthouses. Karen was an elementary school teacher and held various other staff positions in education. After she retired from teaching, she found a new role as switchboard operator at Coastal Eye Clinic in New Bern, NC.
Karen was survived by her loving husband, James (Jim); son, James Ray Bleadingheiser of Creswell, North Carolina; daughter, Beth (Joe) Heath of Loudonville, Ohio; grandchildren, Taylor, Kelsey, and Ema Bleadingheiser, Peter and Jacob Heath; great-grandson, Klayton. Her brother Phillip (Barbara) Zimmerman and her brother-in-law, Dennis. As well as nieces Rachel Zimmerman and Denise (Eric) Hershberger, nephews David (Amy) Zimmerman and Jeremy (Heather) Knee.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Willard and Esther Zimmerman, and her sister Rachel Knee.
Calling hours will be from 3 pm- 4 pm on July 5th, with the funeral immediately following at 4 pm at the Loudonville Church of the Nazarene at 509 N Union St, Loudonville, OH. A celebration of life barbeque will be held at Plymouth Church of the Nazarene in Plymouth, North Carolina, on August 9th, 2025. Time will be determined later.
For those friends and family opting to donate in her memory, donations may be made to Team Peter to find a cure for Batten Disease, which their grandson Peter has. A direct link is below.
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