A Commitment You Can Trust, Guided by Faith
About Good Shepherd:
A Faith-based Life Care Community
As a Christian, not-for-profit life care community, Good Shepherd Home serves those of all faiths with a full range of independent living options and all levels of care. We are guided by local Fostoria citizens, regional professionals and congregations of the Northern Ohio District of the Church of the Brethren. Our Board of Trustees is dedicated to Christian service and sound financial stewardship. Security, compassion, love—since 1904, we have brought a welcoming home and abundant living to seniors in our community.
Mission and Vision
Our Mission
The Good Shepherd Home, which was founded by the Church of the Brethren to minister to the needs of the community, is committed to providing an atmosphere that enhances the quality of life of our residents and focuses on their individuality. We strive for a holistic approach of caring for those in need of our services while maintaining a Christian environment in which to live and work.
Our Vision
As a leader in Christ-centered senior living, Good Shepherd Home will continue to care for residents with a commitment to service and innovation, focused on preparing for the needs of tomorrow’s seniors and their families.
Our Leadership Team
Our dedicated administrative team provides expert leadership.
Chris Widman, Executive Director
Start Date: February 1999
Years of Professional Experience: 30+ years
Why do you love working at GSH: I love working for an organization that helps others! Good Shepherd Home helps our residents maximize their potential, helps our families focus on their loved one’s needs, helps our staff cultivate meaningful relationships and helps our community show love and care for those in need.
Beau Walters, Operations Director
Start Date: October 2012
Years of Professional Experience: 12 years
Why do you love working at GSH: I love working at Good Shepherd Home because of all the great residents and staff. Working here truly feels like you are with family all the time. I couldn’t think of any other place I would rather work.
Melanie Birch, Marketing & Communications Director
Start Date: May 2015
Years of Professional Experience: 15+ years
Why do you love working at GSH: When you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work. At Good Shepherd Home, we truly are one big family! I’m so proud to be a part of such a special place that really cares for its residents and staff alike.
Lisa Cooper, Admissions Coordinator
Start Date: August 2013
Years of Professional Experience: 10+ years
Why do you love working at GSH: I love that I am able to help many residents and their families through the admission process. I enjoy working with our dedicated and caring staff. I enjoy getting to know our residents and interacting with them on a daily basis.
Danielle Doeing, Culinary Director
Start Date: June 2020
Years of Professional Experience: 10+ years
Why do you love working at GSH: I’ve enjoyed everyone here at Good Shepherd Home because everyone is so willing to help one another. Many of the staff being here for so long speaks volumes about the organization!
Steve Dryfuse, Business Office Manager
Start Date: November, 2017
Years of Professional Experience: 10+ years
Why do you love working at GSH: I enjoy the interaction between the staff, residents and resident family members. It’s been very rewarding to assist others in any way I can to help people get through their day.
Wendy Foss, LSW, Social Services
Start Date: September 2015
Years of Professional Experience: 20+ years
Why do you love working at GSH: I love to work at Good Shepherd because we have such great residents and staff members. I love to help others. Being able to help clients stay in their homes longer is priceless!
Jennifer Gillig, R.N., Meadows Director
Start Date: February 2024
Years of Professional Experience: 15+ years
Why do you love working at GSH: What I love the most about being a part of the GSH family are the residents and staff. I have not been here long, but have been welcomed by all! Knowing that I can make a difference in our residents’ daily care is a very important part of why I choose this profession and job!
Brittney Kelbley, L.P.N., Shepherd Court Director
Start Date: October 2021
Years of Professional Experience: 12
Why do you love working at GSH: “I love working at Good Shepherd Home because the people here believe in me. I’ve wanted this role for a long time and they’ve given me this opportunity. I couldn’t be more blessed to be part of a great team.”
Joshua Kinney, Housekeeping & Laundry Supervisor
Start Date: November 2020
Years of Professional Experience: 10+ years
Why do you love working at GSH: I enjoy working in a family environment.
Elizabeth Langrill, Housing Manager
Start Date: , September 2024
Years of Professional Experience: 15+ years
Why do you love working at GSH:I love the overall family feel that Good Shepherd represents as well as their commitment to providing an all around housing experience for low income seniors in the area. It is very hard to find a property owner that doesn’t charge the highest rent that the state allows but is still able to provide quality housing to low income seniors.
Crystal Macias, Administrative Assistant/Human Resources
Start Date: September 1973
Years of Professional Experience: 40+ years
Why do you love working at GSH: I love interacting with and assisting our residents as well as working with the Good Shepherd Home fellow staff members. We are one big family who truly care about each other. We are a special group at Good Shepherd Home!
Luis Medina, R.N., Director of Brethren Court
Start Date:
Years of Professional Experience:
Why do you love working at GSH:
Nickole Medina, R.N., Director of Nursing
Start Date: July 1998
Years of Professional Experience: 20+ years
Why do you love working at GSH: Good Shepherd Home is not only a job, but they are a second family to me. They take care of their employees, just as well as their residents, who also become a part of that family.
Melissa Mehmood, L.P.N., Meadows Director
Start Date: December 2024
Years of Professional Experience:
Why do you love working at GSH:
Wahneta Mockensturm, Activity Director
Years of Professional Experience: 20+ years
Why do you love working at GSH: My favorite part of being part of the GSH family is getting to know the residents and making them happy.
Danielle Page, L.P.N., Assistant Director of Nursing
Start Date: August 2021
Years of Professional Experience: 10+ years
Why do you love working at GSH: “I love the home-like atmosphere when being at GSH. You become a small family when you work here, always having each others backs and being a team. And of course, I love all of our residents and their families. Getting to know everyone and making a special bond with each and every one of them.”
Tina Pine, LSW, Social Services Director
Start Date: July 2017
Years of Professional Experience: 40+ years
Why do you love working at GSH: I am so grateful to work with a team of professionals who truly care about the health, well-being and dignity of those seniors in need of our services. Good Shepherd Home offers a work environment filled with kindness and compassion. I feel that my work makes a difference in the lives of our residents and their families.
Amanda Reidling, Chaplain
Start Date: May 2024
Years of Professional Experience: 13+ years
Why do you love working at GSH: Everyone is so nice and welcoming. I love that this is a place where faith is promoted and welcomed. Not only is faith an asset to healing but also to living a spiritually abundant and full life.
Kim Reiter, L.P.N., Cascades Director
Start Date: August 1977
Years of Professional Experience: 40+ years
Why do you love working at GSH: I am contributing to making the lives of residents, who are living with dementia, happier and more fulfilled. I love the challenge of helping families on their journey with dementia.
Melissa Rohde, LPN, Community Liaison
Start Date: October 2024
Years of Professional Experience: 30 years
Why do you love working at GSH: I love the friendly staff and atmosphere at GSH. Everyone is very knowledgeable and has been very kind and helpful.
Mark Self, Chaplain
Start Date: January, 2025
Years of Professional Experience:
Why do you love working at GSH:
Ian Yoshimoto, Plant Operations Director
Start Date: October 2020
Years of Professional Experience: 11 years
Why do you love working at GSH: My favorite part of working at Good Shepherd Home is our residents. We all become family here and the residents get so excited when we fix things or help them. You really get a good sense of fulfillment from them and they appreciate everything you do. I love working with my hands and troubleshooting problems for a living. We also have a very hardworking staff that dedicates themselves fully for the greater common goal…our residents. We are a team here.
Community Outreach
Good Shepherd Home is a vital part of the greater Fostoria community. We encourage families, friends and neighbors to become involved in the lives of residents and to feel at home here. To connect with our community and civic organizations, we:
- Sponsor youth artwork programming
- Serve as a host site for the American Red Cross Bloodmobile, Life Line screening, Shepherd Center, United Way and other community programs and events
- Provide meeting space and meals for organizations including Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, Optimist, Altrusa and Inter-Agency clubs
- Host National Day of Prayer services in our chapel
- Host a Voters’ Forum sponsored by Good Shepherd Home League of Voters
- Serve as a local voting precinct
- Participate in Relay for Life
- Host the Good Samaritan Dinner and Auction
- Sponsor an Annual Membership Dinner, open to anyone who has an interest in Good Shepherd Home and our mission
- Distribute a bi-annual community newsletter
Want to learn more about Good Shepherd?
Ask us anything about living and serving here.
Equal Opportunity
Good Shepherd Home is an equal opportunity housing provider, and as such, does not discriminate on the basis of membership in a protected class, including race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, color, or disability