Polly Ann Salyer

Polly Ann Salyer, of New Lexington, passed away on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. She was born on January 1, 1951, in Columbus, and she spent her life being exactly the kind of person people do not forget: sharp, spirited, creative, and entirely unafraid to let you know when something was not up to her standards.

When she was able to work, Polly was a waitress for the New Lexington City Restaurant, a role well suited to someone who knew people, knew how things ought to be done, and likely had an opinion or two ready before the coffee cooled. She formerly attended Bear Run Baptist Church. She was also a woman of many hobbies and talents, enjoying crafts of all kinds, especially crocheting, coloring, diamond art and Bingo. If there was a way to keep her hands busy while keeping her mind one step ahead of everyone else in the room, Polly was all in. She was a lifetime member of the New Lexington Eagles #2070. Polly loved to verbally express her dissatisfaction, and those who knew her best would probably agree that this was not a flaw so much as a public service. Her brother Jr. was a favorite target of that particular talent, and one suspects he knew better than most when to brace himself and when to laugh. Polly was wicked smart and genuinely a good person. Even though she was a hellraiser, she would do anything for you. That combination of grit, heart, and fearless honesty made her one of a kind. She also kept the residents of St. Rt. 37 straight, which is no small accomplishment and may stand as one of her finest civic contributions. Polly will be remembered for her humor, her strength, her creativity, and her refusal to be anything less than fully herself. She leaves behind the sort of memory that makes people smile first and tear up a little later: the memory of someone who could set you straight, make you laugh, and still be the first to help when help was needed.

Polly leaves behind her siblings, Suzie Salyer, Jr. (Sharon) Salyer and Frank (Alena) Salyer; her nieces and nephews, Justin (Karen) Chevalier, Heather (Bob) Richmond, Melissa (Bob) White, Melanie (Bryan) Wilson, Ashley (Teddy) Cornelius, Sandra (Casey) Kerr, Amy (Johnny) Dalrymple, Angie Quinn and Nick (Ashlee) Neff; her great-nieces and great-nephews, Gracelyn, Brice, Alex, McKayla, Gunner, Alisha, Miranda, Hexton, Ariel, Austin, Collin (Caitlin), Cloe (Chase), Emma, Bobby, Alyiah and Nicole and many many more and her special friends, Lisa Luellan, Sandy Cox, Baeleigh Mercer, Bentley Mercer, and Mary.

Polly is preceded in death by her parents, Launful "Fuzzy" and Betty (Kirk) Salyer; her sisters, Patty (Ron) Neff, Jean Ray; her special friend Bob Taylor; her niece, Laura Chevalier; her nephews, Shorty Chevalier and Steven Ray; her great-nephew, Courage Wilson and her dog, Fancy.

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 2, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Goebel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 36 North Buckeye St, Crooksville, OH 43731. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Marc Caton officiating. She will then be buried in Iliff cemetery. 

The family would like to extend a special Thank You to the folks at the New Lexington Nursing Home for their care and friendship shown to Polly these last years.