Penwell Turner Funeral Home - Shelby, Ohio

Jerry L. Bidwell

Jerry L. Bidwell died Thursday. January 14, 2021 in his home near Shelby, Ohio of congestive heart failure.  Born 16 May 1935 in Union County, Ohio, Professor Bidwell was educated at the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, and at the Sorbonne in Paris, France.  He taught French on the OSU campus from 1959-60 and French and Comparative Literature from 1961-1966.  He was one of the founding faculty at OSU-Mansfield Campus, teaching there from its opening in 1966-1986.  He took early retirement in order to write, and thereafter wrote and published fiction.

He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth R. Bidwell, his mother, Ethel M. Bidwell, his step-mother Geneva Bidwell, his aunts and uncles Harold (Kathryn) Bidwell, Jane (Eldon) Anderson, Elsie (Roger) Wilcox, and Juanita (Arthur) Schaeffer, his step-grandmother Zelda Bidwell, and a special childhood cousin Martha Sciacca.

He is survived by his dear friend and companion of 48 years Dr. Patricia L. Edwards, his sister, Janice (Thomas) Hurd, nieces Molly Barker and Lori (Todd) Disbennett, grand-nephews Michael Barker, Matthew (Amber) Barker, and Dr. William (Ashley) Burns, Lisa Ann Burns, cousins, Rosemary Anderson, Rodney (Lois) Anderson, Meg (Johnnie) Wood, Celia Diamond, Robert (Brenda) Bidwell, Linda (Robert) Chambers, and by his special cousin Maria Sciacca.

Professor Bidwell was a member of the Unitarian-Universalist Church-of-the-Larger-Fellowship and of Amnesty International.  An admirer of the outdoors, he enjoyed backpacking, fishing, and canoeing, and supported many environmental causes.  His lifelong he loved the earth.

There will be no services or calling hours because of the Covid 19 Virus Pandemic.  Ashes will be placed privately according to Professor Bidwell’s instructions.  Cremation service is being provided by Penwell Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, OH. www.PenwellTurner.com

Memories & Condolence

  1. Beth King says:

    Pat I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
    Beth King

  2. Dianne Randall says:

    My deepest condolences on Prof. Bidwell’s death. He was my Comparative Literature professor when Mansfield Branch of OSU opened the new campus in 1966, and I looked forward to his classes. He was an inspiration to my becoming an English educator.

  3. Meg Cooper says:

    So very, very sorry about Jerry’s death, but glad he could spend his end time in the peaceful pondhouse. He was a great guy and will be missed by many. I hope memories of years past will help.

  4. Tom & Linda Cooke says:

    Sorry for your loss. Praying for peace during this time.

  5. Celia Diamond says:

    Jerry, my wonderful, bighearted, life-loving cousin of so many talents and interests, you will be sadly missed. I will always hear your voice in my heart. Deepest condolences to Pat, your loving partner.

  6. Tito Mukhopadhyay says:

    “Moon worn thin to the width of a quill,
    In the dawn clouds flying,
    How good to go light to light
    And still give light dying.”

    Sarah Teasdale

    Condolences.

  7. Beth Rushton says:

    Deepest condolences! Prayers for comfort during this time.

  8. Norman Jones says:

    Please allow me to express my sincere condolences on behalf of the Mansfield campus of The Ohio State University. While I did not get the opportunity to meet Professor Bidwell myself, my colleagues have been sharing with me their memories and the high esteem in which they held him. We are deeply grateful for Professor Bidwell’s contributions as one of the founding faculty members of our campus who helped launch us on the path to become what we are today. I will keep Professor Bidwell’s family and friends in my thoughts and prayers.

    In sympathy,
    Norman Jones
    Dean & Director, Ohio State Mansfield

  9. Thomas B. Gregory says:

    We share your sorrow, and hope that you will find peace in cherished memories. Dede and Tom (Mansfield Campus colleague)

  10. Laura Barnard says:

    Pat, I am so saddened to learn that you have lost your dear Jerry.
    Sending lots and lots of love,
    Laura Barnard

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