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BORN

1924

DIED

2013

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Gene Gilsdorf Obituary

(News Article) Gene Gilsdorf, a passionate photographer and genealogist, died Monday in Walbridge. He was 88.

Mr. Gilsdorf had several health issues, including prostate cancer and renal failure, his daughter, Suzanne Deal, said.

Retired for more than 30 years, he spent many years gathering information about Lake Township Cemetery for a book titled The History of Lake Township that was published in 1995. His son, Kenneth Gilsdorf, said his father always had a passionate interest in collecting stories and finding ancestral links.

"He's always been big on genealogy," Mr. Gilsdorf said, adding that the book was a better seller than originally anticipated. He said about 100 copies of the book were printed and "they all found owners."

His father also wrote about two other cemeteries and took many photographs of cemetery entrances for the book. Information from the book was also made into a CD, which the Wood County Genealogical Society sells.

He also was a member of the Walbridge VFW Post 9963 and served as treasurer of the Lake Township Parks Friendship Committee.

"He just liked that type of thing. He worked on it for many weeks, many months, several years," his son said.

Mr. Gilsdorf was born in Ottawa Lake, Mich., and graduated from Lake High School in 1942. Serving in the Army during World War II, he was stationed in Germany. He and the former Ethel Snyder were married in 1946.

Starting work as a clerk on the former Pennsylvania Railroad, he worked for other rail lines, including Penn Central and Conrail. Mr. Gilsdorf retired as an office manager in 1984.

But it was his passion for photography and research that never wavered throughout the years, Ms. Deal said. A few years ago, she scanned all of the information that he uncovered and uploaded it to an online ancestry Web site.

"I scanned everything," she said. "I stayed up nights and nights and scanned everything that he ever researched."

She said her father was "flabbergasted" once he saw all of the information. Ms. Deal said her father used Facebook, even at age 88, to reconnect with people. She said his death reminded her how much of an effect he had on influencing the hobby of both her and the younger Mr. Gilsdorf.

Surviving are his wife, Ethel; son, Kenneth Gilsdorf; daughters, Suzanne Deal and Kathleen Minning; sister, Ardis Schwind; and five grandchildren.

A showing for family and friends will take place at Witzler-Shank Funeral Home, 701 N. Main St., Walbridge, from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday. VFW Post 9963 will hold a small service at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday at 10:30 a.m., at the funeral home.

The family requests tributes to the Lake Township Parks Friendship Committee, Hospice of Northwest Ohio, or the Wood County Genealogical Society.

Published by The Blade on Apr. 9, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Gene Gilsdorf

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45 Entries

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.

Denny Matheney

April 3, 2019

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

Bob & Polly Ros

April 15, 2013

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.

Kathy and mike Moran

April 13, 2013

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

The H.L.Culpepper Family

April 13, 2013

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.

Ed Collins

April 13, 2013

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

David Kachmarik

April 12, 2013

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

Clark Hamilton

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

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

Marilyn Stevenson/Furrie

April 11, 2013

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.

Dennis and Carole Hanely

April 11, 2013

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.

Rick Rowland

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 11, 2013

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.

David Baldwin

April 11, 2013

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.

Judy Miller Hollabaugh

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

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

Tom and Denice Huth

Denice Huth

April 10, 2013

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.

Gene/Mary Zapadka

April 10, 2013

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.

Don Cope

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

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

Walter DeBruin

April 10, 2013

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

April 10, 2013

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

Larry Allore

April 10, 2013

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

Betty Bensch

April 9, 2013

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

Vicki Sigler

April 9, 2013

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".

Denny Matheney

April 9, 2013

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.

Diana and RR Rogers

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

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

Sharon and Roy Kiersztyn

April 9, 2013

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

Penny Shipman

April 9, 2013

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

Theodore 'Tod' Beadle

April 9, 2013

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!

greg vavrik

April 9, 2013

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

Linda Sass

April 9, 2013

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.

Bryan & Denise Glover

April 9, 2013

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

Mel and Rose Grames

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

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.

Patrick and Wende Corcoran

April 9, 2013

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.

Vicki Schwamberger

April 9, 2013

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

John and Grace Lucas

April 9, 2013

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

John Grady

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 9, 2013

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

Matt and Rhonda Long

April 8, 2013

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.

Ron & Sandy Maines

April 8, 2013

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

Heinz & MaryAnn Necker

April 8, 2013

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

Marcia Rellinger

April 8, 2013

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701 N Main Street, Walbridge, OH 43465

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