Amber R. Brown Obituary, Oakwood, OH Death: Cherish Resident Has Died
Amber R. Brown, age 42, of Oakwood, Ohio, peacefully passed away surrounded by her family on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. Her passing leaves a profound sense of loss among family, friends, colleagues, and all who were touched by her kindness, compassion, and unwavering dedication to others.
Born in Paulding, Ohio, on June 23, 1983, to Bruce and Debra (Grove) Miller, Amber graduated from Paulding High School in 2001. She went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree from Defiance College in 2005 and a Master’s degree from The University of Toledo in 2007. On April 28, 2007, she married Chad Brown, who, along with their three beloved children—Samuel, Kathryn, and Jacob—survives her.
Amber dedicated her life to serving others. She was a committed EMT for Oakwood EMS and a volunteer firefighter for Auglaize Township. Professionally, she worked as a Primary Care Physician’s Assistant and Hospitalist at Mercy Defiance Clinic and Hospital, in the Emergency Room at Lima Memorial Hospital, as a Hospitalist at St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima, Ohio, and most recently as an ER Provider at Great Plains Health in North Platte, Nebraska. Even while facing her own health challenges, Amber continued to give tirelessly, making hats for patients in need during her cancer journey.
Beyond her medical career, Amber was a mentor and coach, touching the lives of countless children. She coached Upward Basketball in Van Wert and Defiance, led cross country and track at Ayersville, served as a Scout Master for Cub Scouts in Oakwood, and was a 4-H Advisor for the Happy Bunch 4-H Club in Paulding County. She had a gift for nurturing others, whether through sports, education, or simple acts of kindness.
Amber’s passions included sewing, cross-stitching, baking, gardening, caring for farm animals, and enjoying the outdoors with her family. She cherished camping, boating, and traveling to the Smoky Mountains, always creating memories filled with love and laughter. Her determination, selflessness, and devotion were an inspiration to all who knew her.
Amber is survived by her husband, Chad Brown of Oakwood; her children, Samuel, Kathryn, and Jacob; her parents, Bruce and Deb Miller of Oakwood; brothers Cory (Elaine) Miller of Sunbury and Caleb (Mandy) Miller of Antwerp; sister-in-law Lyn (Nate) Webster of Van Buren; brother-in-law Scott (Lynn) Brown of Grover Hill; in-laws Thomas and Sandra Brown of Grover Hill; aunt Jane (Kip) Gochenour of Paulding; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Norm and Donna Miller, Ed and Dort Grove, and uncles Jim Geething and Steve Grove.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 22, 2026, from 2–4 p.m. and 5–8 p.m. at Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance, with a Vigil Service at 2:00 p.m. officiated by Fr. Dave Cirata. Additional visitation will be from 9:30–10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 23, 2026, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, with Fr. Tom Hunyor officiating.
Amber’s extraordinary life, boundless generosity, and unwavering love for her family and community will be deeply missed and forever remembered. Her legacy of care, compassion, and service lives on in all who were fortunate enough to know her.