Reverend Susan L Guyer (Birch / Rash)

April 3, 1956 – December 28, 2024

The Reverend Susan Leigh Guyer passed away after an extended illness on December 28,, 2024 at Parkview Hospice in Fort Wayne Indiana.
Susan was born on April 3, 1956 in Saint Louis Missouri to Jane (Eidson) and Dr Samuel E Guyer. Susan graduated from University City High School in Saint Louis County. She received an Associate's Degree from Cottey College in Nevada Missouri, and a Bachelor's Degree from Maryville College in Maryville Tennessee. Susan earned a Master of Divinity degree from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Louisville Kentucky and became an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
While at seminary, Susan met another divinity student, William (Bill) Birch of Cincinnati Ohio, and married in Saint Louis after graduation. Together they co-pastored at Steelville Presbyterian Church in Steelville Missouri. From Steelville, they moved to Saint Louis, where Susan trained as an interim pastor. She then served as interim at the church she grew up attending, First Presbyterian Church of Saint Louis. Later, Susan interim-pastored at Windom First Presbyterian Church in Windom Minnesota. Then, Susan co-pastored with Bill at Lima Presbyterian Church in Howe Indiana. She served as a supply minister at Chapel of the Lakes Presbyterian Church in Angola Indiana and Trinity Presbyterian Church in Fort Wayne Indiana. Susan and Bill retired to Fort Wayne.
Susan was widowed by Bill in 2012 but remained in Fort Wayne, where she met another widower, Channing (Chan) Rash. They married and enjoyed several wonderful, lively years together until Susan's health deteriorated. Then, and only at Susan's firm behest, they divorced. Despite their divorce, Chan devotedly stuck by Susan, offering her love and comfort; he navigated through complicated medical and financial affairs for her.
Susan was bigger than life and commanded a presence in any room. Her father gave all his children pet names. Susan's pet name was Choppy Loppy, since she was a "chop" lopped off the old block, her mother. Just like her mother, everyone knew when Susan had arrived. Susan did not hold back her thoughts. Words were Susan's gift, and she used them generously and with precision.
Susan loved to preach for all ages; she was a gifted preacher. She even made sure children had their own sermon. One morning, standing in her favorite lavender robe in front of the congregation, she called the kids up for the children's sermon. From the back, a three-year-old appeared in the aisle, looked up towards the altar, and ran towards Susan exclaiming, "Barney!" No one laughed harder than did Susan.
Susan lifted people in need, often in creative ways. Being a resolute supporter of women's higher education, Susan was a member of the internationally based Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.). Through her ties with P.E.O., Susan was instrumental in helping a young woman from Sierra Leone reach her dream of becoming an operatic mezzosoprano and professor.
Susan adored cats and they loved her. Many lived the life of Riley under Susan's care. She was an avid fictional novel reader and enjoyed sewing, making many of her own dresses and items used in her pastoral ministry. She was also a fan-loyalist to the television sitcom "Golden Girls", often commenting on the relevance in her own life.
Susan is survived by her loving former husband, Channing Rash of Fort Wayne Indiana, his daughter Kati Rash, granddaughter Elicia Bradley of Huntington Indiana, and son David and Brandi (Frewer) Rash of Noblesville Indiana. Susan's beloved cat, Winston, now resides with Chan.
Susan's surviving family consists of brother Karl and Debbie (Dalin) Guyer of Chesterfield Missouri; sister Dr Kathryn (Guyer) and Leonard Cripps of Marlow Oklahoma; brother James Guyer and Robyn Fryer of Bourbon Missouri; aunt Wynona Peters of Baton Rouge Louisiana; niece Erin (Guyer) and Marc Schreiber and their twins Abby and Lily of Olivette Missouri; niece Brittany (Guyer) and Benjamin Rotskoff and their sons Haylan and Ethan of St Louis Missouri; and many loving cousins in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas, Florida and Tennessee.
Susan is predeceased by her parents, Jane (Eidson) and Dr Samuel Guyer, her first husband, the Reverend William Birch, and grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A Celebration of Life will be announced soon and will be held at St Joe United Methodist Church, 6004 Reed Road, Fort Wayne Indiana. Susan's final resting place will be at St John's Cemetery, 1051 Neeb Road, Cincinnati Ohio.
Those wishing to honor Susan's memory may donate to St Joe United Methodist Church, 6004 Reed Road, Fort Wayne Indiana 46835, by mail or at www.stjoemin.com