Hyman F. “Hy” Blum, age 90 of Dayton, passed away Jan. 1 at Miami Valley Hospital. Mr. Blum was the president of Ohio Loan Company, which he founded 62 years ago. He was a member and past president of Beth Jacob Congregation, a member of Beth Abraham Synagogue, Temple Israel, St. Thomas Synagogue, and B’nai B’rith. He was also a member of Dayton Lodge F&AM and the Scottish Rite Valley of Dayton. Mr. Blum was preceded in death by his parents, Rubin and Bessie Blum and sisters, Sophie Brenner and Sarah Itzkowitz. He is survived by his beloved wife of 71 years, Sylvia; sons and daughters-in-law, Richard and Linda Blum, Kenneth and Lisa Blum; grandchildren, Stephanie Henning, Michael (Kristin) Blum, Philip (Rabbi Cantor Lily) Blum, Amy (Noam) Siegel and Emily Blum; great-grandchildren, Joel Henning, Gabriella and Charles Blum, Isla Siegel, Alex and Brandon Henning; many nieces and nephews and friends. Interment was at Beth Jacob Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Beth Jacob Congregation or the charity of your choice in Mr. Blum’s memory.

Jeri Blair Cutler passed away Jan. 6 at Friendship Village in Trotwood. Interment was at Temple Israel’s Riverview Cemetery. Mrs. Cutler celebrated 85 years (1934-2020) and was preceded in death by her parents (Norma and Carl Lipton), her husband of 46 years (Marvin, 2004), and her brother Melvin (Lipton, 2018). She is survived by her sister Kay (Weprin) and her brother Stephen (Lipton). Mrs. Cutler was loved by many including five grandchildren from daughter Diane and son-in-law Mike Charme (Jason, Britney, Cameron, Zachary, and Roni), and two grandchildren from her son Mitch and daughter-in-law Orie Cutler (Hana and Mika). In addition, Mrs. Cutler will be missed by five nieces and nephews as well as many cousins and dear friends. Mrs. Cutler was an involved member of the Dayton Jewish community for over 50 years. She brought meaning and joy to her life; along the way, she was an inspiration to many in the way she met joy and challenges equally throughout her rich life. She touched many, and her lifelong quests for education, compassion, and understanding will endure. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or charity of your choice.

Dr. Eric Friedland, beloved colleague, teacher and friend, died Jan. 16 at age 79. Born in New York City, Dr. Friedland was raised in Boston. He is proceeded in death by his beloved mother, Celia Zoken Friedland. He was also a beloved member of the “Zoken Clan” and remained close to all of his many cousins, although time and distance made things more challenging. He was the instigator and motivator behind his family’s Thanksgivukkah reunion in December 2013. Interment was at Beth Jacob Cemetery.

Maxine Margolis Leventhal, 97 passed away Jan. 4. The daughter of Abe and Anna Margolis, Mrs. Leventhal was born and raised in Dayton. She had one brother, Sterling. Mrs. Leventhal met her husband, Fred, at an outing in Springfield where she experienced love at first sight. The forever elegant Mrs. Leventhal and her streetwise Cleveland boy were a perfect match. Their marriage in 1947 lasted 69 wonderful years. They had two children, Fern, who presently lives in New York City, and Todd, who lives in Yellow Springs. A memorial service for Mrs. Leventhal at Temple Sholom in Springfield, Feb. 21, is tentatively scheduled for 1 p.m.

Shirley Unger Leventhal, age 94 formerly of Springfield and Dayton, passed away Dec. 30 in Palo Alto, Calif. where she had lived for the last five years. She was born in Youngstown to Eugene and Molly Unger. Mrs. Leventhal graduated from Mather College at Case Western Reserve as a dietician. She was known for her great meals and superb baking. Mrs. Leventhal was a member of Temple Sholom in Springfield, Temple Israel in Dayton, and Congregation Kol Emeth in Palo Alto. She was active in Planned Parenthood and was an advocate for women’s reproductive rights and family services. Mrs. Leventhal was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harry Leventhal; a brother, Bertram Unger; sister, Dorothy Harlan; and her daughter, Barbara Leventhal-Stern. She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Laurie Leventhal-Belfer and son-in-law Dr. Howard Belfer; son, Robert Leventhal and daughter-in-law Carolyn Reinach Wolf; son-in-law Michael Stern; sister, Janet Udell; grandchildren, Jessie and Isaac Belfer, Daniel, Micah and Eli Leventhal. Interment was at Ferncliff Cemetery, Springfield. Memorial contributions may be made to Planned Parenthood or The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society.

Shirley R. Mazer, age 95 of Boca Raton, formerly of Dayton, passed away Dec. 31 at Trustbridge Hospice. Mrs. Mazer was a longtime member of Beth Jacob Congregation, president of the Beth Jacob Sisterhood, and a significant philanthropic supporter of causes in Dayton, the United States, and Israel. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Marshall, and parents, Sol and Lillie Shapiro. Mrs. Mazer is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Andrea and William Franklin of Wyomissing, Pa., Bonnie Mashiach of Boca Raton, and Marcie Mazer of Dayton; son and daughter-in-law, Dr. David and Cherie Mazer of Orlando; 12 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and many relatives and friends. Interment was at Beth Jacob Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice in Mrs. Mazer’s memory.

To read the complete February 2020 Dayton Jewish Observer, click here.