S. Sue Studebaker

STUDEBAKER, S. Sue, age 74, of Washington Twp, OH. Local historian, antique collector, and author Sue Studebaker passed away Monday night, as result of a sudden illness. Mrs. Studebaker was known both locally and nationally as an expert and lecturer on American antique and decorative arts. She began her interest in American antiques in the early 1950s. Sue and her husband, Richard, purchased Quaker Hill in 1958. Built in 1797 by Judge John Ewing, this home is the oldest residence in Montgomery County and has been lovingly restored by Sue and Richard. Together they have collected appropriate and useable antiques to fill each and every room. The home has been open to the public on several occasions for the benefit of the Centerville historical society and has been featured in national publications that include: Early American Homes, House Beautiful, Time-Life's American Country Series, and The Magazine ANTIQUES. Sue attended Ohio State University where she majored in Speech Education. She completed graduate study programs at the prestigious Winterhur Museums Institute of Advanced Study, was granted two consecutive Fellowships at the University of North Carolina Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA) in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and completed additional Fellowships at the Addingham Institute in England. She taught classes on antiques at several museums and universities in the area, and was a featured lecturer at the 43rd Annual Antiques forum at Colonial Williamsburg. A native of Ohio, Sue Studebaker was an independent scholar. She was an avid collector, lecturer, and teacher of American Decorative Arts. Sue delighted her audiences with tales of the early English, Scotch Irish, German and French settlers in the Ohio Country. These pioneers brought with them many cultural and religious influences which can be found on the early samplers of Ohio girls, making these works of art so engaging. Her research of Ohio schoolgirl embroideries spanned more than fifteen years and she met some amazing people along the way. Sue served as the guest curator for the first exhibition of Ohio samplers at the Warren County Museum in 1988, and has been a featured speaker at two Colonial Williamsburg conferences on early needlework, as well as other needlework symposiums throughout the country. She served as Curator of the bicentennial exhibition of Ohio samplers at the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio in Lancaster (May - August, 2003), published articles in The Antique Review and Early American Life Magazine, and is the author of two books: Ohio Samplers Schoolgirl Embroideries 1803-1850 (1988) Ohio Is My Dwelling Place, (Ohio Univ. Press (2002) Her second book won her the Ohioana Citation for Historic Preservation of Decorative Arts in 2005 ~ a state award that recognizes individuals 'who represent the very best of Ohio's literary, musical and artistic talent.' Sue was valedictorian of Fairborn High School, class of 1951, a member of Alpha Phi Sorority while at Ohio State and Past President of the Dayton Alpha Phi Sorority. She was a founding member of the Prince of Peace Church of the Brethren and served on the building committee. She was also a trustee for the Cincinnati Decorative Arts Society, a member of the Ohio Womens Club, a Charter member and Past President of the Centerville Historical Society, Past President of the Dayton Womens Club, a Charter member and Past President of the Dayton Antiques Study Club, and a member of the Dayton Art Institute, the Winterthur Guild, the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts and Ohio Folk Art Association. Sue traveled extensively around Europe and the United States with her loving family. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Dr. Richard B. Studebaker; 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. Park A. (Susan) and Dana B. (Mary) both of Washington Twp.; grandchildren, Alex, Christina, Caroline and Samantha; brother, Dr. Russel Toops of Florida and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 26, 2008 at 10:00 AM at Prince of Peace Church, 800 E. David Rd., Kettering with Pastor Larry Tyner officiating. Burial in David's Cemetery. The family will celebrate Sue's life with a reception at the Dayton Country Club following the services. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Centerville Historical Society, 89 W. Franklin St., Centerville, OH 45459.

Funeral Home:
Kettering Routsong Funeral Home
2100 E. Stroop Rd.
Kettering, OH
US 45429