Karen B Aemmer (Shepherd), age 63, passed away surrounded by her family at home in Diamond OH on Saturday May 25, 2024, after a courageous fifteen month battle with cancer.

Born on September 23, 1960 in Canton, Ohio, Karen spent her younger years as a Rainbow Girl of the Eastern Star. She graduated from East Canton High School in 1978 and worked at Republic Steel for the next almost 30 years. On October 25, 1986 she married David Aemmer and moved to Marlboro OH, where they raised their family. There, Karen and the family attended Aldersgate United Methodist Church. In 2005 she pursued her Associates Degree in Certified Paralegal and graduated from Brown Mackie College in 2007. From there she found her true passion working in the legal field for the remainder of her working career. For Karen, the greatest joy of her life was her family and you could often hear her talking about her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, showing off the most recent pictures. She enjoyed spoiling her fur-kids (Sadie & Penny), gardening, antiquing, and going to garage sales. Everyone knew she could always find all the great bargains! Karen attended Palmyra United Methodist Church in Diamond OH and was a dedicated supporter of the Charity Lodge FAM #530 in Deerfield OH.

Karen is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 37 years, David Aemmer of Diamond OH; her 4 children Heather Shepherd of Alliance OH, Jennifer (George) Theodore of Canton OH, Benjamin (Hannah) Aemmer of North Canton OH and Ashley Aemmer (Adam Dordea) of Juneau, Alaska; 14 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; her brother Rick (Susan) Shepherd of Florida; her sister Pat (Bill) Baisden of Florida; her dearest friend Kim Tomko of Louisville OH; and all of her loving Aemmer family members and friends.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, mother and step-father Helmi and Carl Hoffman of Sebring FL and her father and his longtime companion Richard Shepherd Jr and Hazel Sukosd of East Canton OH; her sister Kathi Diamond of Florida; her Brother-in-Law Ken Diamond of Florida and her Father-in-law and Mother-in-law Warren and Marjorie Aemmer of Diamond OH.

In honoring Karen’s wishes, she expressed there be no formal services. Instead, she asked for a beautiful gathering to share fond memories of her time here with all of us over a meal. We will receive friends and family for a Celebration of Life on Saturday June 22, 2024, 2:00pm - 6:00pm at The Masonic Lodge 2380 OH-225, Deerfield, OH 44411. Flowers can be sent the morning of this celebration, to the Masonic Lodge. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Karen Aemmer to Summa Health Cancer Institute, The Jean & Milton Cooper Pavilion at www.summahealth.org/medicalservices/cancer/giving-back or to the Angels for Animals Veterinary Care & Shelter at www.angelsforanimals.org/donations-memorials. Condolences can be mailed to David Aemmer at P.O. Box 251, Atwater, Ohio 44201.

The family would like to thank Dr. Manson and all the amazing doctors and staff with the Summa Oncology Group at the Jean & Milton Cooper Cancer Center and Summa Health Hospital for the wonderful care of Karen over the past fifteen months. And thank you to Susan and the entire staff with Summa Health Hospice Group for the beautiful compassion and assistance with caring for Karen in her final week.