Eugene Louis Gilsdorf

1924 - 2013

Eugene Louis Gilsdorf obituary, 1924-2013, Walbridge, OH

BORN

1924

DIED

2013

FUNERAL HOME

Eugene Gilsdorf Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Apr. 8, 2013.

Eugene (Gene) L. Gilsdorf, of Walbridge, Ohio, passed away on April 8, 2013 at the age of 88 years old. He was born on July 22, 1924 in Ottawa Lake, MI to Arthur and (Clara) Tubbs Gilsdorf. Gene graduated from Lake High School in 1942 and served as Secretary for his class. He was proud to be a graduate of Lake and even prouder that he had 4 generations attend the Lake School System. He was employed as a clerk on the former Pennsylvania Railroad in 1942 and worked for its successive lines, The Penn Central and Conrail, retiring in 1984 as an office manager.

He served in the U.S. Army in Germany during World War II. In 2009, Gene was chosen to take part in Honor Flight where he flew to Washington D.C. to visit the WWII Memorial.

Gene had a passion for photography and with all of his wonderful photos and research he compiled he preserved history for his family for years to come.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Dolores A. Culpepper. He is survived by his wife, Ethel M. (Snyder) Gilsdorf whom he married on June 22, 1946, his son, Kenneth (Teresa) Gilsdorf of Walbridge, two daughters, Suzanne (Bob) Deal of Walbridge, Kathleen (Blair) Minning, of Portage, Ohio, and one sister, Ardis (Paul) Schwind of Millbury, five grand-children, eight great grand-children, many nieces, nephews and friends.

Eugene was a member of the Walbridge VFW Post 9963, The Lake Township Parks Friendship Committee, serving as treasurer, and The Wood County Genealogical Society. Gene spent many days gathering information from Lake Township Cemetery for a book published in 1995, by the Wood County Genealogical Society. He also co-authored a book on Wood County historical events, which featured local railroads and cemeteries. He was a long time member of the Boy Scouts serving as Assistant Cubmaster of Pack #63 and as Scoutmaster of Troop #63 in Moline for many years, receiving the Silver Beaver award in 1990 and the Wood District Award of Merit. He also wrote numerous railroad related articles for the Mutual Magazine. Two weeks before he died Lake Township Trustees honored him with a Resolution of Appreciation for being a role model for the community. A memorial bench at Friendship Park will also be dedicated to him with wording on it that stated "To a humble and dedicated servant of Friends of Lake Township Parks".

Family and friends may gather at the Witzler-Shank Funeral Home 701 N. Main St. Walbridge (419-666-3121) on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM. VFW Post #9963 will conduct a small service at 7:00 PM. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 11th at 10:30 AM. in the funeral home with interment following at Lake Township Cemetery, Walbridge.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lake Township Parks Friendship Committee, Hospice of Northwest Ohio, or Wood County Genealogical Society. Thoughts and prayers may be made at www.witzlershank.com. It has once been said that "Gene Gilsdorf has left a lasting legacy of honor, commitment, and unselfish dedication to the Lake Township community he resided in." His family loved him so much, and admired his passion and dedication for his family, community, and friends that they couldn't have said it better themselves.

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April 3, 2019

Denny Matheney

I think of Gene very often. I remember sitting at the Gilsdorf kitchen table discussing many topics to include his WWII service . When a young man he fought for our country and the free world with K Company, 301st Infantry Regiment of the 94th Infantry Division. He participated in the Northern France, Rhineland and the Central Europe Campaigns of which included the Battle of the Bulge. He was a True Patriot in so many ways. Gene has left a lasting impression with me . I will always remember him.

Posted by Denny Matheney

April 15, 2013

Bob & Polly Ros

We have special memories of your visit to our home on the west coast. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless

April 13, 2013

Kathy and mike Moran

Sue, so sorry to hear of your Dads passing. I know how much you will miss him. Love and prayers to you and your family.

April 13, 2013

The H.L.Culpepper Family

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

April 13, 2013

Ed Collins

Dear Ethyl and family: Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the loss of Gene. In 1963, Gene gave me the opportunity to work at Outer Yard. Eventually, I worked as his assistant. He was a great motivator and kept the work challenging and interesting. I'm forever beholding to Gene for encouraging me to use the GI bill to obtain a degree. May God bless and keep him.

April 12, 2013

David Kachmarik

Ardis, please accept the condolences of the loss of your brother from the whole Kachmarik Family. God bless.

April 11, 2013

Clark Hamilton

I am so sorry for your loss. I have such wonderful memories of Mr. Gilsdorf and the Gilsdorf family. My thoughts are with you.

April 11, 2013

It was such a privlidge to know your father my entire life,a wonderful man who will be missed by all . Sincere sympathy to the entire family . Rick and Cheryl Baldwin

April 11, 2013

Marilyn Stevenson/Furrie

Gene will be missed by all He was a fine man and well liked by his fellow employees on PRR/Conrail.

April 11, 2013

Dennis and Carole Hanely

Our sincere prayers and sympathy are with your family today. Gene touched so many lives. He was the man who hired me on the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1964 and I still remember that day. What a wonderful man.

April 11, 2013

Rick Rowland

I probably first meet Gene in about 1959 when Kenny, brother Bill and I worked Sundays as kids setting Trap and Skeet at Lakelands Gun Club. Later, when I just started raising a young family, he hired me at the Pennsylvania RR as a Yard Clerk, many spooky nights walking that RR yard, but it put bread on the table, and I thank him for the start in life. My heart goes to to Ethel, Kenny, and the entire family, he was always willing to stop whatever and talk with you in an extremely friendly way, What a wonderful man, I will miss him at the Park this Summer.

April 11, 2013

Ethel and family: Eugene's passing is a very sad thing. He touched many lives and will be greatly missed. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Sharon (Burkhardt) Williams and Sarah Williams.

April 10, 2013

David Baldwin

My heartfelt sympathy and prayers are with your family today and in the future. I am the man I am today in large measure because of his guidance. Our payers are with you and yours. David and Georgia Baldwin.

April 10, 2013

Judy Miller Hollabaugh

Gilsdorf and Schwind families...my prayers and sympathy to you all. Gene was such a very special man to all who knew and loved him. I envy the wonderful memories you all have of him. Gene is now the Angel watching over his family as he did here on earth. Much love and ((hugs)) of healing to you all.

April 10, 2013

Sue and family, We are so sorry for your loss. He was a great person as I remember him from growing up. We send our love and prayers to you all and pray that God will wrap His comforting arms around you and give you peace.
Jim & Jane Butler

April 10, 2013

Denice Huth

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. Gene will be deeply missed.

Tom and Denice Huth

April 10, 2013

Gene/Mary Zapadka

May you know the Mercy of God who welcomes Gene to his Heavenly Home. We know that the God of all has welcomed a wonderful husband, Father, grandfather and "friend" to his mansion prepared especially for him. May God of all consolation give you Peace Ethel and family. We love you lots and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers as you adjust to your life here without Gene. He is still watching over you.

April 10, 2013

Don Cope

I am sorry to learn of Eugene's passing. I always remembered as a young kid how great both Ethel and Eugene were to me and my Mom and Dad.

April 10, 2013

Susie and family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers at this time of reflection and change.
Sincerely, your friend,
June Wright Sweede

April 10, 2013

Walter DeBruin

A truly remarkable Scout Leader And friend when a boy needed it growing up.My condolences to Mrs. Gilsdorf and family

April 10, 2013

My thoughts & prayers to all. Fond memories. Judi Frisinger Carollo

April 10, 2013

Larry Allore

Gilsdorf family. I did not know Mr. Gilsdorf as a close friend, but the thing that always struck me when I ran into him someplace-- he always made you feel as if you were one to him! He will be missed by all! God Bless!

Larry and Diana Allore

April 9, 2013

Betty Bensch

So sorry to hear of your loss. I remember visiting your parents and grandparents with my Mom when she would stop to see how your Mom and Dad and your grandparents were doing. They were always nice and glad to see you. Betty Webb Bensch

April 9, 2013

Vicki Sigler

Kenny, Sue and Kathy... You are all so fortunate to have had Mr G for your dad, what a special guy who taught you so much about life just by watching him. Mrs G, you were a perfect wife to him, please know you will be together again some day. Love you all. Vicki and Larry

April 9, 2013

Denny Matheney

I lost a very good friend when Gene passed. My condolences to Mrs Gilsdorf, Ken, Teresa and Family.

For those who didn't know, Gene served in WWII as a combat infantryman with Company K , 301 Infantry Regiment of the 94th Infantry Division. It was in that capacity he fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was the recipient of the Combat Infantryman's Badge, The Good Conduct Medal, the American Theatre Service Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with 3 bronze Stars and the WWII Victory Medal. Gene authored a detailed autobiography of his "Military Service-The Army".

Posted by Denny Matheney

April 9, 2013

Diana and RR Rogers

Ethel, Kenny, Sue, Kathy & family - so sorry to hear our friend Gene passed away. He was a kind man and a great friend. He will be missed by many. He was like a second father to both of us, especially on the railroad.
He was a great friend for over 40 years.

April 9, 2013

Gilsdorf Family . . . we are so very sorry about your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Larry & Judy Fox

April 9, 2013

Sorry to see the passing of your father. It sounds like he had a long and happy life. I know he raised great children.

Gary Jones (former Lake teacher)

April 9, 2013

Sharon and Roy Kiersztyn

Ken and Sue,
So sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

April 9, 2013

Penny Shipman

So very sorry to hear about your Dad. Many prayer coming your way

April 9, 2013

Theodore 'Tod' Beadle

So sorry to hear about the loss of Gene. He will be missed.

April 9, 2013

greg vavrik

to the gilsdorf family my great sympathy, you husband and father was like a second father me when he was my scout leader we had many of good times he was one of the great men from wood count god bles his wife and kids i think you know that i will greive your loss as if he was father also god bess ya gee you surely will be missed!

April 9, 2013

Linda Sass

We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow. Jim, Linda, Warren & Caroline Sass

April 9, 2013

Bryan & Denise Glover

I never had the honor of meeting Mr. Gilsdorf, but if he was anything like his son Ken, he had to be a great man. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during these hard times.

April 9, 2013

Mel and Rose Grames

What a wonderful man! Anyone who met him was a very lucky person indeed.

April 9, 2013

Will miss Gene, his sense of humor and his common sense! My prayers go out to his family. Steve Charter, Bowling Green, Ohio

April 9, 2013

Patrick and Wende Corcoran

Ken and Teresa,
We just heard about the passing of your father/father-in-law and are so sorry for your loss, but know you are taking comfort in the fact that your dad is no longer in pain. May you find peace looking back at years of wonderful memories.
Thinking of you and your entire family.

April 9, 2013

Vicki Schwamberger

A true gentleman. He will be missed by our community. I loved the wisdom and stories he would always share with me. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

April 9, 2013

John and Grace Lucas

A great and gentle man with an eye for detail. We will miss you.

April 9, 2013

John Grady

I had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Gilsdorf when I worked for Conrail. Deepest condolences to his family and friends.

April 9, 2013

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL AT THIS TIME. HE IS GOING TO BE MISSED ALOT. hE WAS ACTIVE IN CHURCH BINGO AND FEATHER PARTY. HE WAS THE NICES MAN I NEW.

April 8, 2013

Matt and Rhonda Long

So sorry for your lose. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

April 8, 2013

Ron & Sandy Maines

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. His many trips to PA will be kept with us always. He was always a kind and giving individual and sadly missed by us all.

April 8, 2013

Heinz & MaryAnn Necker

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. Your dad/granddad, was an amazing, loving person, that will be greatly missed. We always enjoyed visiting with him. Thanking God for all the precious memories that you all have of this great man. May you find peace in the coming days.
Heinz & MaryAnn Necker

April 8, 2013

Marcia Rellinger

To the Gilsdorf, individually and collectively, you all are so cherished in my heart. Your dad was the heartbeat that made things happen. You all have had a very rough year. Just know that you still have a mom who needs you and loves you. So please hug her alot and yourselves for me. I love you all, Mushy Marcia

Showing 1 - 45 of 45 results

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Funeral services provided by:

Witzler-Shank-Walker Funeral Home - Walbridge Chapel

701 N Main Street, Walbridge, OH 43465

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