Amber R. Brown, a coach for Upward Basketball and cross country, has tragically passed away.
Brown was born on June 23, 1983, to her father Bruce and her mother Debra (Grove) Miller.
She was a 2001 graduate of Paulding High School, earned her Bachelor’s degree in 2005 from Defiance College, and her Master’s degree in 2007 from The University of Toledo.
Amber was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church. She was an EMT for Oakwood EMS and a volunteer firefighter for Auglaize Township.
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.
She touched the lives of many children as a coach for Upward Basketball in Van Wert and Defiance, and coached cross country and track at Ayersville.
Amber was a Scout Master for Cub Scouts in Oakwood and a 4-H Advisor for the Happy Bunch 4-H Club in Paulding Co.
She also made hats for the less fortunate, for patients in the ER, while she was working in Nebraska during her cancer journey.
Community Is Mourning The Tragic Death Of Amber R. Brown
The sources confirmed that Amber R. Brown, 42, of Paulding, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center.
Ayersville Athletic Boosters took to the official Facebook handle to announce the tragic news.
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Amber Brown, a valued member of the Ayersville family.
Ayersville Athletic Boosters
Amber gave her time and energy as a loyal supporter of the Ayersville Athletic Boosters, always willing to step up and serve our programs and community. Her passion for sports and dedication to our student-athletes was evident in everything she did. Her selflessness, compassion, and strength touched so many lives.
Amber embodied what it means to be a Pilot and her legacy will live on through the countless lives she impacted.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Chad, Sam, Kate, and Jake along with their family, friends, and all who knew and loved Amber during this difficult time.
Deborah Manon took to the comment section and mourned the loss of Amber.
So sad. Sorry for you loss..we will be praying for the family.
Deborah Manon
Rick Small of Charlotte, North Carolina, wrote,
May her memory be a blessing to her family and friends.
Rick Small
Northwest Destroyers Softball also took to their official Facebook handle to mourn Amber’s death.
Destroyer family, it is with a heavy heart that we share a loss of one of our own. Please keep Kate (14U) and her family in your thoughts and prayers, as they navigate the future after the passing of her mom, Amber Brown. While our hearts here on earth are hurting, we can appreciate that her body is no longer suffering from the affects of cancer and she will forever have the best seat in heaven watching over us on the field.
Northwest Destroyers Softball
Other close ones and relatives have also offered their heartfelt condolences and sent prayers to Amber’s family to stay strong in this difficult time.
As per Amber’s family, visitation will be held from 2-4 and 5-8 on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance, with a Vigil Service at 2:00 pm officiated by Fr. Dave Cirata.
Additional visitation will be held from 9:30 am to 10:30 am on Monday at Schaffer Funeral Home.
A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11:00 am on Monday, March 23rd, 2026, at St. Mary Catholic Church, with Fr. Tom Hunyor officiating.
Amber R. Brown Is Survived By Her Husband, Chad, And Three Children
Former coach Amber R. Brown was married to Chad Brown on April 28, 2007.
Chad has stayed away from social media, so limited information about his personal life is available.
However, their married life ended after 18 years following the tragic death of Amber R. Brown.
They were blessed with three children, Samuel, Kathryn, and Jacob.
She leaves behind her brothers, Cory (Elaine) Miller of Sunbury, and Caleb (Mandy) Miller of Antwerp.
