Lorie (McCauley) Venable Obituary

Lorie Sue (McCauley) Venable, age 62 of Fairborn, OH, passed away unexpectedly, Friday, July 18, 2025. She was born August 11, 1962, in Connersville, IN, the daughter of Everett A. and Marilyn S. (Snyder) McCauley. She graduated from Fairborn Park Hills High School in 1980. She completed her degree from Park College while working, being Mom and active in community.

Lorie worked in the civil service for the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB for 33 years. Much of her tenure was at Hq AFMC as an analyst where she received many awards over the years. Her favorite was the year she won Analyst of the Year for the whole Air Force.

In 2005-2006 her husband Russ was deployed to Iraq with his national guard unit. Given she was older than the other wives she took them under her wing as a military wife. Lorie helped them with their struggles as full-time military families. She helped build a supportive, cohesive group, always ready to help in any way she could. Adding to her load at the same time was the fact their oldest son Brad was in Iraq at the same time as his dad. Now that puts a new stress level on a “Momma.” Lacey and Cody also joined the military, following their father’s path and honoring their mom’s role as a proud military mom and dedicated civil servant.

Lorie was always in her children’s lives as a girl scout leader, soccer Mom and all the school support jobs that many mothers provide. She was always first in line at Christmas time helping families in need. The last few years she gave significant amounts of help to the Fairborn Fish Food Pantry. She never liked to see people go without her. She gave extensively to the Fairborn Little Tykes Shop so little kids could have the joy of shopping for their families. She exemplified kindness and generosity, never hesitating to assist those in need, even if they were strangers.

Her deepest and most passionate cause for which she is best known was the Bath Twp Biodigester. Lorie was relentless in efforts to shut down the Dovetail biodigester. She worked tirelessly researching information and requesting documents from the Ohio EPA. She tirelessly sent emails, made phone calls, and attended meetings after meetings, never giving up, even when it felt like there was no end in sight. She never wavered in her fight for better living and breathing conditions for the residents of Bath Twp and the city of Fairborn. Even when the Dovetail biodigester closed, she worked helping other communities throughout the state to fight the industry and other similar environmental issues.

Lories greatest treasures were her grandkids. Whether she was fitting them all with the Ohio State Buckeye football jerseys or remembering each of their birthdays, they meant everything to her. She has been known to even spoil them now and again. To those who knew her, she’ll always be remembered as a faithful wife, a caring mother, and a bold force for good in her community.

Lorie is preceded in death by both paternal and maternal grandparents. She is survived by her devoted husband of 43 years, James R. “Russ” Venable; three children, James “Brad” (Julia) Venable, Lacey (Andrew S.) Jolman, Cody Venable; eight grandchildren, Alexis, Hannah, Taylor, Jacob, Aleczander, McKenzie, Madison, Andrew “Desy”; father, Everett McCauley (Starla); mother, Marilyn McCauley; two brothers, Mike McCauley, Jason (Chelsea) McCauley, and sister Jamaica McCauley; cousins, extended family, and a host of dear friends.

A memorial service will be held at 12:30 PM, Friday, July 25, 2025, at the Belton-Stroup Funeral Home, 422 E. Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd., Fairborn, OH 45324. The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM until the time of service, Pastor Craig Fourman celebrant. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to the Fairborn F.I.S.H. Food Pantry to support those in need within the community. Contributions online at https://fishfairborn.org/donate or by mail PO Box 1484 Fairborn, OH 45324.