Forest “Woody” Mendenhall

Forest E. (Woody) Mendenhall, Jr., joined his Lord and savior in his eternal home on Monday, April 7, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones. Born March 21, 1946, to Forest and Thelma (Cox) Mendenhall in Zanesville, where Woody spent most of his life, he graduated from Maysville High School in 1964 where he played basketball and baseball, even trying out for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He went on to attend Olivet College where he met Brenda, his first wife and mother of his oldest daughter. He also served two years in the Army, from 1966-68.

In 1976, Woody and his second wife, Gwen, took a memorable trip to North Carolina with friends, Julie and Gary Ash, who stood by their side during their wedding ceremony there.

Woody retired in 1995 as the Agent in Charge of Enforcement for the multi-county Columbus District of the Ohio Department of Liquor Control. He trained and mentored many liquor agents as well as providing training other law enforcement agencies in Ohio. Many have enjoyed hearing the stories from the undercover work he did for years all over the state.

Following his years of employment, his nearly 30 years of retirement included caring for his family, volunteering in his community, and traveling with his family. After years of traveling for work, he settled right in as Mr. Mom, while Gwen continued to work for 13 more years. He never missed an opportunity to volunteer at his kids’ schools, coach them or cheer for them. His travels included planning and navigating a month-long road trip to California with his family of four in a little Winnebago to visit national parks, a seven-week road trip to Alaska with Gwen and their Golden, Ava, where they canoed on Mendenhall Lake and hiked on Mendenhall Glacier, a cherished visit to the Holy Land and in recent years he enjoyed camping and boating at Seneca Lake with his family and especially his grandsons.

His volunteering included being an active board member at Camp Presmont, Clerk of Session at Trinity UP church where he was a member for 20 years, serving on committees and attending adult Sunday School. Later, he was an active member at Coburn UMC for 10 years, attending an active Sunday School class, serving on committees, driving the bus, working in the food pantry, and working at the fair food stand. Prior to joining Muskingum Church, he was also a member of Immanuel Church in Zanesville. Woody maintained friendships with many of those with whom he worshipped over the years. He also served on the Committee on Ministry for the Muskingum Valley Presbytery.

Woody was a Boy Scout volunteer, beginning as his son’s den leader and continuing as Scout Master of Troop 126 long after his son earned his Eagle Scout award. He was a board member, bus driver and Scout leader at Lifewell inner-city after school program. He was a member of the Muskingum County Republican Club and worked at the polls. Later, in retirement, the birth of his grandsons gave him much joy. He loved working outside with them, watching their baseball and hockey games and fixing them sausage gravy and biscuits. Breakfast was usually Woody’s favorite meal of the day.

He never shied away from a challenge, including eight weeks of daily radiation and chemo for head and neck cancer in 2007. These treatments caused many long-term side effects and damage, including the breaking of his jaw in 2023. He had to rely upon tube feedings for the past two years for his nourishment. He could fix most anything and spent many hours at his house, his daughter’s house and the homes of many friends and family members whenever they needed anything fixed.

Woody was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Robert (Shirley) Mendenhall, Ralph (Betty Ann) Mendenhall, Esther (Jack) Andrews, and Patty (Harvey “Red” Owens); his niece, Crystal (Mark) Tuel; nephews, Tim Mendenhall and Greg Andrews.

He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Gwendolyn (Gordon) Mendenhall, children, Hans, Tara (Mathew) Koett and Robin Mendenhall; grandchildren, Mason and Christian Koett; first wife and mother of Robin, Brenda (Jim) Perrin; nephews, Randy (Judy) Owens, Tom (Pat) Lyall, Terry (Linda) Lyall, Jim (Deb) Early, Thad (Karen) Andrews and many special friends including Gary and Julie (Leach) Ash.

Woody was also a member of Irville Masonic Lodge No.184.

Calling hours for friends and family will be held at Muskingum Church, 4545 Gorsuch Rd., Nashport, OH 43830, on Friday April 11, 2025, 6-8 pm and Saturday, April 12 ,10-11am. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday at 11, officiated by Pastor Donna Edsall and Rev. Randall Owens following the calling hour.

The family requests in lieu of flowers donations can be made in Woody’s memory to Camp Presmont, P.O. Box 96, Piedmont, OH 43983 or Muskingum Church.