Recent teacher sex case SUICIDES: Steve Allen, Greenwich, Connecticut (deceased Nov 2011) [child porn] Chad Hunt, League City, Texas (deceased Nov 2011) [improper relationship with student] Paul Mizer, Maria Stein, Ohio (arrested Dec 2011) [sexual imposition of minor] Deceased! Name: Paul Mizer, St. Johns Road, Maria Stein, Ohio Age: 56 School: Marion Local Elementary School, Maria Stein, Ohio Position: 3rd grade teacher Sheriff's Press Release (courtesy WCSM): 12/03/11 Sheriff's Office Press Release Concerning the death of Paul Mizer Celina, OH – Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey reported that deputies are investigating the apparent suicide of Paul Mizer, 56, St. Johns Road, Maria Stein. The Sheriff’s Office received a call from Penny Mizer, wife of the victim stating that he had left the house between 4:30 AM and 5:00 AM. Mizer was distraught as he had been arrested on Friday by deputies for sexual imposition of minor. The charge is a third degree misdemeanor. Mr. Mizer was employed as a teacher at Marion Local Elementary School, but the crime was not committed on school property or during school hours. Mr. Mizer was brought to the Mercer County Adult Detention Facility and booked in, but was later released when his wife posted bond. Mizer was found dead in the pond at the Maria Stein Spiritual Center, 2365 St. John’s Road, Maria Stein at approximately 10:30 AM this morning. No other details are being released at this time. Dayton Daily News (3 Dec 2011): Teacher accused of sex act with minor found dead in pond WHIO TV (3 Dec 2011): Body of Marion Local teacher pulled from pond News Talk Radio WHIO (4 Dec 2011): Local Elementary School teacher arrested Friday for sexual imposition of a minor committed suicide WDTN (4 Dec 2011): Body of teacher pulled from pond Fox 45 (4 Dec 2011): Local Teacher Arrested For Sexual Imposition Of A Minor Found Dead Lime News (4 Dec 2011): Mercer Co. teacher accused of child-sex crime kills self Obituary (short): Paul Mizer December 04, 2011 Paul Mizer, 56, of Maria Stein, died Dec. 3, 2011, in Maria Stein. A memorial Mass will begin at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. The Rev. Gene Schnipke will officiate. A funeral service will begin at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Salem Evans Creek Lutheran Church, Stone Creek. Pastor William Haggis will officiate. Burial will follow at a later date in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. today at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Minster. Obituary (long): Paul Mizer Paul Mizer, age 56 of Maria Stein, Ohio passed away on Saturday, December 3, 2011 in Maria Stein. He was born August 15, 1955 in Stone Creek, Ohio to the late Mike & Betty (Neading) Mizer. He married Penny Preston on February 29, 1992 in Troy, Ohio. She survives in Maria Stein. He is also survived by daughters Oksana & Karina both at home, brothers & sisters Linda & Dave Canfield, New Philadelphia, Ohio, Norma & John Brink, Fresno, Ohio, John & Maggie Mizer, Stone Creek, Ohio, Dan & Jo Mizer, Fresno, Ohio, parents-in-law, Bud & MaryAnn Preston, Montezuma, sister-in-law & brother-in-law Nancy & Alan Morse, Westerville, Ohio, Tod & Diane Preston, Celina, Ohio many nieces & nephews. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Maria Stein where he was organist and music director. He was a member of the American Music Guild of Organists and band director for 8 years at Miami East & 16 years at Marion Local and a 3rd grade teacher at Marion Local Schools. A memorial mass will be held 9:30 AM Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Rev. Gene Schnipke presiding. Friends may call at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Minster, from 2-8 PM Monday, December 5, 2011. A Funeral Service will also be held at 3:30 PM Tuesday December 6, 2011 at Salem Evans Creek Lutheran Church, Stone Creek, Ohio With Pastor William Haggis officiating. Burial will follow at a later date in the church cemetery. The family requests donations be made to his daughters' educational fund through St. Henry Bank and the St. John the Baptist Wish List. Condolences may be made at www.hogenkampfh.com.
Here is a piece from a local paper that paints a very different picture of Paul Mizer -- teacher, parishioner, local historian: Minster Community Post (13 July 2011): Local man captures history
