Beth Sue Adelman, whose compassionate heart benefited the Dayton community in countless ways for many decades, died peacefully on Sept. 2. She was 75. As both a professional and a volunteer, Beth sought to help others in myriad ways, whether making nightly phone calls to check on an elderly friend, delivering groceries to the homebound, collecting warm winter clothing for needy students, baking cookies for her classmates at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Dayton or intermission at the Dayton Theatre Guild. She was active at both Beth Abraham Synagogue and Temple Israel. A board member of the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company and the League of Women Voters, Beth also served on the boards of The Contemporary Dayton, Beth Abraham Synagogue, and the popular dance group, Rhythm in Shoes. She was a judge for the Dayton Walk of Fame, helped select menus for the annual NCCJ Friendship Dinner, picked up and entertained visiting authors for the Jewish Community Center’s annual Cultural Arts and Book Series. She was past president of Dayton Family Services, active with the Ronald McDonald House Doors of Compassion fundraisers, helped build houses for Habitat for Humanity, and chaired the Dayton Jewish International Film Festival. If the raffle prizes at a community gathering looked enticing, chances are Beth had a hand in gathering them. She could also be counted on to bid on items for charity galas and, as a result, her home was filled with lovely artwork and accessories. “She was a small ball of energy with an enormous heart: warm, welcoming, generous, and almost always doing something for someone else,” said The Contemporary Dayton’s Eva Buttacavoli. “I will remember Beth for her tremendous generosity, her boundless energy, her wonderful sense of fun, and the way she made people feel cared for.” Professionally, Beth focused on helping others as well. She received her undergraduate degree in occupational therapy and her master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from The Ohio State University. She worked at the prestigious Dodd Hall Rehabilitation Hospital in Columbus, and after moving to Dayton, worked at St. Elizabeth Hospital and served on the board of directors of the local chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Later, she worked as the director of the Jewish Community Relations Council and as a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker. Beth was named a Woman of Influence by the YWCA of Dayton and a Woman of Valor by Beth Abraham Synagogue. In August, she received the Bettman Award from the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton, which recognizes a righteous person, ”someone recognized for exceptional goodness, integrity, services, and concern for others.” She loved her friends and family, her three cats, the color purple, and every flavor of ice cream. Beth had recently fulfilled a dream and moved to Performance Place at the Schuster Performing Arts Center. It was the perfect home for someone who dearly loved art, music, dance, and theater. Born in Akron to Evelyn and Sidney Adelman, the family then moved to Canton. She is survived by her brother Barry (Michelle); nephews Zach, Michael (Gioia Pacella), and Nathan (Abby) Adelman; niece Sarah (Thomas) Moyer, great-niece and nephew Penelope and Jack Moyer; and goddaughter Lauren Mulcare. Interment was at the Hebrew Cemetery in Canton. May her memory be a blessing.

Dr. Felix Garfunkel, age 95, passed away Sept. 6. Felix was well known in our Dayton Jewish community. He was a member of several congregations and attended and participated in many programs and events. Felix was preceded in death by his wife, Dr. Erika Garfunkel; and his daughter, Rabbi Janice Garfunkel. Felix is survived by his two sons, David (Isabela) Garfunkel and Michael Garfunkel; six grandchildren, Marcus Garfunkel, Isaac (Netta) Garfunkel, Aliza Garfunkel, Eliana Garfunkel, Noah Garfunkel, Jack Garfunkel; and his two great-grandchildren, Koa Garfunkel and Elvin Garfunkel. Interment was at Beth Jacob Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton in his memory.

Donald Marger, MD, age 82, of Dayton, passed away Sept. 11. Born in Miami, Donald attended Duke University for undergraduate and medical school and completed specialty training at Yale University. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a major during the Vietnam War. Subsequently, as a radiation oncologist, Donald served the greater Dayton community with compassion and care for over 40 years. Donald was an active member of Beth Abraham Synagogue. Donald had a passion for traveling with his wife, was a voracious reader, and, most of all, enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Carole; children, Richard and Erin Marger, Michelle (Marger) and Thomas Smith, and Brian and Victoria Marger; brother, Jeffrey Marger (Suzi); sister-in-law, Susan Prior; grandchildren, Elisha Friedel (Brandon), Jonah Marger, Jaydn Elliott, Ethan Marger, Benjamin Smith, Joshua Smith, Sammy Smith, Jordan Marger, and Lily Marger; great-granddaughter, Mila Friedel; and many other relatives and friends. Interment was at Beth Abraham Cemetery. The family welcomes donations to Beth Abraham Synagogue or Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton in Donald’s memory.

Rachel G. Winder, June 29, 1970-Aug. 10, 2026. Rachel Winder was funny, loving, and, above all, devoted to her family. She had an easy laugh and a genuine way of taking care of the people around her. She built a respected career as a lobbyist, and her greatest professional accomplishment was helping champion Braden’s Law, signed by Gov. Mike DeWine in 2025. Named for Olentangy student Braden Markus, the law made sextortion a felony in Ohio and strengthened protections for victims and their families. Rachel also founded and led the Ohio Women’s Coalition, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to expanding opportunities for women and women-owned businesses across Ohio. Her life’s work reflected her unwavering belief that everyone deserved to be protected, heard, and given the opportunity to succeed. Rachel adored the team at Benesch Law, and her role as government relations manager, for over 13 years. Her leadership and impact were widely recognized, including as a 2025 Columbus Business First Women of Influence honoree and as the 2024 Ohio Auctioneers Legislative Champion. As meaningful as those recognitions are, they only begin to reflect the dedication, strength, and generosity Rachel brought to her work and to those around her. Rachel was a proud graduate of The Ohio State University and a lifelong Buckeyes fan. It was at Ohio State where she met two of her closest and dearest friends, Tina Lapp and Allison Maggiola, whom she loved so much. More than anything, Rachel loved being a mother to Emma and Grant, supporting her kids in everything they did, cheering on Emma’s performances in drama and vocals, supporting Grant in his athletics, and celebrating every milestone in their lives. Both are so talented and she was endlessly proud of them. She was also extremely dedicated to her nieces, Linda, Heather, and Haley; her nephew, Peter; and her great nieces, Evelyn, Sydney, and Eliza. Rachel was preceded in death by her mother, Linda D. Gross; and her stepmother, Mary Lou Gross. She is survived by her children, Emma and Grant Winder; her father, Sydney L. Gross Jr.; her stepmother, Lois Gross; her siblings, Emily (Thor) Sandvik, Syd (Ben) Gross, and Lauren Gross; her stepsiblings, Mick Heyman, Cindy (Peter) Eeg, Ginger (James) Pigott, Stephanie (Steve) Spetter, Pamela (Andy) Schwartz, Josh (Lily) Spetter; her nieces and nephew, Linda (Daniel) Walter, Peter (Leah) Sandvik, Heather Sandvik and Haley Sandvik; and her great-nieces, Evelyn, Sydney, and Eliza Walter; as well as many dear friends and family. Contributions can be made to any of the following charitable organizations: The Braden Markus Foundation (delawarecf.org/donations/braden-markus-memorial-scholarship), supporting the mission of Braden’s Law, which gives scholarships for higher education; Rico Pet Recovery Services (ricopetrecovery.org/donate), from which she adopted many of her beloved dogs; or The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (cancer.osu.edu/giving).

To read the complete October 2026 Dayton Jewish Observer, click here.