Lelia S. Fair

Lelia S. Fair of Forest Park, Ohio, died on September 23, 2026 under the care of Hospice of Cincinnati at the Birchwood Care Center in Fairfield Township.

She was born Lelia Fay Nickell on November 17, 1941 at Middletown, Ohio to Charles Stanley and Laura Della Nickell. She grew up on the small family farm in Blue Ball, Ohio.

Lelia graduated from Monroe High School, class of 1959, and worked various clerical and secretarial jobs, before going to work at the Ohio State Highway Department, Division Eight at Middletown Ohio as a stenographer/typist. Lelia worked for the OSHD, which later became the Ohio Department of Transportation, District 8 at Lebanon, Ohio, for 34 years, retiring in 1996 as an administrative assistant. While working at ODOT, Lelia met and married her husband of 54 years, William H. “Bill” Fair. in addition to her professional duties, Lelia became known as the informal “social director” organizing celebrations and picnics for her fellow employees.

After her retirement, Lelia took on the care of her grandchildren for as long as they needed childcare. And, she continued her role as a social director by organizing luncheons and picnics for her fellow ODOT retirees and publishing a quarterly newsletter, activities that she continued for twenty-two years. At its peak, her “flock’ numbered over 150 fellow retiree members.

Lelia was a remarkable woman, managing a career, raising children and keeping a home. In her spare time, Lelia enjoyed baking, cookies her specialty, so much so that she became known in the neighborhood as the apron lady. Her other pastimes included reading, writing poems, taking photos, listening to classic country music, taking long walks and hosting cookouts for family.

Lelia is survived by her husband, William Henry “Bill” Fair; son, David James Fair; grandson, Jordan David Fair, his wife Amy and great grandson, Henry David Fair; granddaughter, Jenna Louise Fair; brothers, Charles Nickell and Arthur Nickell and his wife Eugenie many nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Andrea; sisters Rose and Rebecca and brothers, Delbert and Denny Nickell.

Lelia loved and was loved by many family, friends and fellow retirees. She will be missed.

Visitation will be Sunday, September 27, 2026 from 1:00 - 2:00 PM and Monday September 28, 2026 from 10:00 - 11:00 AM at Spaulding Funeral Home, 3805 Roosevelt Blvd. (at Bonita Dr.), Middletown, OH.

Funeral will follow at 11:00 AM at the funeral home with with Dr. Dan Flory officiating.

Burial will be at Woodside Cemetery.

Please visit SpauldingFuneralHome.com to leave online condolences for the family.