Lynn Howard Rader, 90, of Elyria passed away peacefully at home December 1, 2025. He was born February 21, 1935 in Ashland and was a lifelong resident of Elyria. He graduated from Elyria Catholic High School (1953),  married Arline Patyak of Elyria, and went on to receive a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Bowling Green State University (1957) and a Master of Arts Degree in School Administration from Case Western Reserve University (1964). He taught elementary school in Lorain City Schools for 7 years before becoming a Principal in the Midview Local School District and serving as Principal of Brush Elementary School for 13 years. One of his proudest accomplishments was starting the Midview Outdoor Education 5th grade program at Camp Iss-See-Kes (Elyria YMCA) and serving as its Director for 8 years.

Lynn retired after 20 years in Education and began his business career with the Holt, Rinehart and Winston publishing company, earning the 1978 HRW National Sales Achievement Award. Ultimately, he joined QSP/Reader's Digest for 13 years as Field Manager and District Manager, earning various sales travel awards to Europe and the Caribbean. Lynn was also well known as a football and basketball Referee, officiating at the high school, state and college levels for 20 years and serving as President of the Northern Ohio Officials Association. Community service included the Elyria YMCA Board of Trustees, St. Mary's Catholic Church Building and Charity Committees and the Elyria Memorial Hospital Building Campaign. Lynn's hobbies included camping, fishing, gardening, furniture refinishing, chair caning and traveling with his wife Arline throughout the USA–especially the National Parks–as well as Europe. A devout Catholic, Lynn was raised in the  St. Agnes Catholic parish before raising his family in the St. Mary's Catholic parish. He had a special devotion to Our Lady and the Holy Rosary. Lynn, along with Arline, was the biggest fan and cheerleader in all of his children's, grandchildren's, great-grandchildren's and great-great grandchild's activities.

Survivors include his sister Carol Hunter of Georgia, children Jeffrey L. Rader of Montana, Karen Rader Ritz (Christopher) of Columbus, Dean H. Rader of Elyria, Jane R. Thomasson (Thomas) of Florida, Scott M. Rader (Robin) of Bowling Green; grandchildren, Parker Rader (Hyejin), Anysse Norick (Sterling), Matthew Rader (Pamela Reed), Jodi Rader, Amy Rader, Cory Thomasson (Kelsey), Erin Spangler (Jesse), Anne Calton (Luke), Gabriel Ritz, Genevieve Gillespie (David), Elizabeth Ritz, Spencer Rader, Sawyer Rader, and Kelsey Mohrmon-Rader; great-grandchildren, Eleanor, Trustin, Credence, Clara, Emma and Maylee Norick; Jocelynn,  Elena and Daphne Spangler; Randy and Taylor Sees; Encelidus, Proxima and Europa Reed Rader; Asun Moon Rader; Miriam, Samantha and Solomon Gillespie; Barrett Thomasson, Logan Calton, and great-great granddaughter Nora Norick. He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years Arline (née Patyak),  parents Howard and Blanche Rader, brother Larry Rader, brother-in-law Jerry Hunter, brother and sister-in-law Richard and Carole Patyak, and great-granddaughter Esther Norick.

Family will receive friends December 9, 2025 at 10:00 am until time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am Tuesday December 9, 2025 at St. Mary Church 320 Middle Ave. Elyria, OH 44035 in the Weigand Room. Rosary Service at 10:30 am. Reverend Father Charles Diedrick, Pastor will be the Celebrant. Burial in St. Mary's Cemetery is private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests those who wish may make donations to St. Mary's Church endowment fund. Arrangements were entrusted to the Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elyria, 440-322-4626. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.laubenthalmercado.com.