DR. TUCKER L. SELF

May 22, 1946 - January 16, 2021

Tucker Lynn Self, 74, passed away on Saturday, January 16, 2021, after a short illness in Ft. Myers, Florida.

Tucker was born May 22, 1946 in Goshen, Indiana the son of the late Robert J. and Mary Jane (Woods) Self.  He was a 1964 graduate of Goshen High School and entered Ashland University Ohio the same year completing his undergraduate degree in Special Education in 1968.  He pursued a Master’s Degree from The Ohio State University and a Doctorate Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Toledo.  Tucker enjoyed working in education; but he was the happiest when he was in a classroom teaching administrators who wanted to become a school Principal or Superintendent.

Tucker is survived by the love of his life, his wife Ruth; daughters, Jennifer (Tom) Esler, Cathy (Todd) Branch, Loy Koeller, Cheryl (Jamie) Koeller-Hopton; grandsons, Nicolas and Cooper Hopton, Dylan and Devon Branch, Jacob Esler; granddaughters, Katja Podulka, Alex and Kayla Branch; his special dog Lucy!; brother, Phil (Diane) Self; brother-in-law, Glen (Jane) Schlosser; as well as nieces and nephews.

After retirement, Tucker and Ruth owned and operated a home health business, Self Support Personal Care for eleven years.  Longing for sunny skies all day with beautiful sunsets, warm, white sandy beaches and true retirement, they moved to Ft. Myers, Fl in 2017.  Florida quickly became home.  Even though Tucker was a die-hard Cleveland Indian Baseball fan, he fell in love with the Red Sox training camp facility at Jet Blue.   He was lucky enough to conduct tours and drive fans on a golf cart.

A celebration of life (Tucker’s style is come casual and ready to have fun) is being planned for Ohio in a few weeks.  Our hearts are broken!  This wonderful man, husband, dad, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, friend, mentor, neighbor will be loved and remembered in many different ways forever.  Rest in Peace, Tucker.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Fort Myers is entrusted with final care.

Guestbook

  1. Millicent Ireland Jan 19, 2021 at 1:26 pm

    Cathy, and family,
    You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
    Millicent Ireland
    Joseph Fox
    Jacob Fox

  2. Jessica Heck-Stelzer Jan 19, 2021 at 2:09 pm

    So very sorry for your loss. My mom (Marty Heck) really enjoyed working with him 😓 at Mendon.

  3. Nancy Fedderke Jan 19, 2021 at 5:19 pm

    As a former bus driver at Tinora schools, I have very fond memories of Mr. Self. He was a very kind and thoughtful person, You could tell he loved doing the job he had. Looked him up on Facebook a couple years back and we started corresponding a little bit. But he wasn’t on a lot. I’m sure he was enjoying all the sunshine in Florida. It was sad to hear of his passing. But I will always have great memories of working with him at Tinora . Rest in peace friend. Tinora 🐏 💚

  4. Terry & Betty Penner Jan 19, 2021 at 5:24 pm

    So sorry for your loss.

  5. Lisa B. Jan 19, 2021 at 6:15 pm

    He will be missed by so many. I was privileged to meet him and spend time with him. In his presence he made me laugh and treated me like family. I don’t think he ever met a stranger. I hope your family finds comfort in all the wonderful stories about him. He was a great man and mentor.

  6. Barbara J (Hummer)Williamson Jan 19, 2021 at 6:37 pm

    Rest in Peace Mr Self. I thought highly of you and enjoyed the years you were at Tinora. Many Condolences to your family is this trying time for them. God Bless 🙏🙏🙏

  7. Gary and Sharon Esler Jan 19, 2021 at 7:25 pm

    We were sorry to hear about Tucker’s passing. Even though we didn’t know him well, her raised a wonderful daughter, that married our son Tom. He will be missed by many people that loved him. May he be at peace 🕊️

  8. Bill Grimes Jan 19, 2021 at 8:02 pm

    So sorry for your loss. Tucker was the best principal. Great times at Tiffin Elementary and great memories. Bill Grimes

  9. Jack Papes, Akron, Ohio Jan 19, 2021 at 8:04 pm

    Sorry to receive this news over the weekend. I am fortunate to have enjoyed casual time with Tucker and family in years gone by. I regret not seeing him more in recent years. RIP my friend. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and many friends.

  10. Lashon rose Jan 19, 2021 at 8:46 pm

    What a AMAZING MAN, MY SINCERE DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ❤

  11. Terry & Betty Penner Jan 19, 2021 at 9:46 pm

    Ruth and children – Wish you could see the nice comments about Tucker on Facebook. Tucker was VERY kind to me during the 1974-75 school year. Our son Ted LOVES telling stories about Tucker & Tucker’s relationship with Ted’s senior class in 1983. Our daughter Jo Ann Penner Meyer posted that Tucker was her principal EVERY YEAR of her schooling except Kindergarten and 8th grade. He was a special person and we all have fond memories. Our sympathy on your loss. May God provide comfort.

  12. Steven and Renee Kozak Jan 19, 2021 at 11:57 pm

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

  13. Lisa Davenport Jan 20, 2021 at 1:50 am

    Oh so sad! Tucker you will be greatly missed! I have such great memories from my Florida trips with you and Ruth so many years ago. What a wonderful, caring, intelligent man. Love to all of your family.

  14. Tamara Whiteman Jan 20, 2021 at 7:04 am

    Tucker was and always will be forever in my heart.He was an excellent boss,friend and mentor to my daughter.I am so blessed to have known him and I pray for comfort for all of you.God bless

  15. Jennifer M Wolfrum Jan 20, 2021 at 8:34 am

    So sorry to see this . He was principal at my school many many years ago . He was a very understanding man and he always had time to talk if there was a problem . My prayers are with his family and friends .

  16. Deb (Locher) Dunbar Jan 20, 2021 at 9:59 am

    So sad to hear of Tucker’s passing. I had lost touch with him after years of knowing him from church and Tinora. He was always so much fun and we could tell how much he loved his job. Sending hugs and prayers to Ruth and family.

  17. Barb Wiechers Jan 20, 2021 at 11:46 am

    I was high school secretary to Mr. Self at Tinora. He was very kind and supportive to me. He liked interacting with students. My sympathy to the family.

  18. Debby Sherck Garey Jan 20, 2021 at 12:32 pm

    I am very sorry for your loss. I went to high school with Tucker, our lockers were side by side.

  19. Barbara (Herring) Grostick Jan 20, 2021 at 4:02 pm

    I went to Goshen High with Tucker. I knew he would succeed in all his endeavors. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

  20. Geneva Mitchell Jan 20, 2021 at 7:39 pm

    I loved Mr. Tucker to pieces, from day one when I was employed by The Self’s at Self Support Personal Care, they always treated me like family. I will truly miss him. Prayers to the family and my Condolences as well.

  21. sherry Milam Scholl Jan 20, 2021 at 10:00 pm

    It is with sadness that we hear of our fellow classmate’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time. May he RIP.

  22. Judi Keaffaber Jan 21, 2021 at 11:29 am

    To Tucker’s family, You have my deepest sympathy. May God wrap His arms around you and comfort you! Sincerely, Judi Keaffaber (a high school classmate)

  23. Mary Jane Roth Jan 21, 2021 at 12:28 pm

    Doug and I are praying for comfort and peace for the family as they grieve and also enjoying wonderful memories together.

  24. Michelle Chatham Jan 21, 2021 at 6:45 pm

    My sympathies to all of his friends and family. He was my principal at THS and was always fair and helpful when we needed any help from the office. I am very sorry for your loss.

  25. Richard Currie Jan 24, 2021 at 11:07 am

    My sincere condolences to Ruth and family on Tucker’s passing.

  26. Richard Cook Jan 24, 2021 at 12:16 pm

    So sad to hear of Tucker`s passing. I had the pleasure of working with him at the Red Sox Spring Training for the past 5 years. He was very much an asset to the Customer Service staff. I remember after one game he stayed well beyond the end helping me trying to find my phone, which turns out to have been left on my kitchen counter. (Something he never let me forget)
    He will be sadly missed and near impossible to replace.
    Rich Cook

  27. Bobbi Miller Jan 24, 2021 at 5:53 pm

    My parents were in a card club in Goshen with Tucker’s parents. My sister Marsha Miller went to GHS at the same time as Tucker. I am so very sorry for your loss.
    Bobbi Miller in Sarasota, FL

  28. Sandy and Vic Dunlap Jan 25, 2021 at 9:02 am

    Ruth,
    We were so sorry to hear of Tucker’s passing. Vic and I send our love and condolences to you and your family. We have so many fond memories of you both and and pray for peace and comfort for you now.

  29. Gary Savage Jan 26, 2021 at 9:44 am

    Ruth, we are so sorry to hear about Tucker. There is no doubt he will be greatly missed by many, and will leave a void in many hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Take Care.

  30. Vicki Essler Jan 31, 2021 at 2:06 pm

    Rest in peace Tucker.
    Proud to call you an AC/AU classmate.

  31. Julie Scott Mar 24, 2021 at 8:13 pm

    Ruth and Cathy, I know this is coming a little late, but I have been hospitalized, myself, since January 15. I was overwhelmed when I heard of Tucker’s passing. The Self family has held a very special place in my heart from the moment I met Tucker and then both of you. You never far from my thoughts and that will continue to be so.
    You have my deepest and profound sympathy. Tucker is not lost to you for he rejoices in Heaven. God must have needed someone with the orneriness that made Tucker who he was. God bless you now and in the coming days and months. My mother passed away two years ago, and since we lived together for twenty years we were very close. Time does not heall all wounds, but it makes them a little more bareable.
    I plan to come to the memorial service in May. I look forward to coming to Akron, my mother’s birthplace, and to seeing both of you. I only wish it was better circumstances. Please know, you are in my thoughts and prayes and I am certain I am not the only peson to say that. He was an extraordenary person, and anyone who had the pleasure of crossing his path is lessened by his passing.
    May God bless you and keep you until you meet him in Heaven.
    Julie

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