Gary Popovitch

Gary Michael Popovitch, 74, of Millbury, Ohio peacefully passed away at Hospice of NW Ohio on October 4, 2025 after his battle with cancer. Gary was born in Toledo, Ohio on April, 28 1951 to John and Noreene Popovitch. He graduated from Waite High School in 1969 and then joined the Air Force, serving in Thailand during the Vietnam War. He was a proud veteran. In 1972 he married Judith Schabel and had two children, Michael and Erin. Gary started his career in the dairy business at Driggs Dairy which was later known as Toledo Milk Processing and Country Fresh. During his 40-year career, he hired many family and friends who became known as "FROGS" (Friends and Relatives Of Gary). He retired in 2017 after spending 10 years as a SQF Auditor and Consultant. He was a member, and also served as President, of the North Toledo Sportsman's Club for 35 years where he made many life-long friends and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He enjoyed sharing his love of fishing with the youth at the family fishing events. He was a proud Papa to his four grandkids and held special relationships with each of them. He loved attending sporting events for his own children and extended that love as he supported his grandkids, whether it be cheerleading, track, football or baseball. He made so many unforgettable memories with his family that will forever be cherished. Gary has so many close friends who he truly loved. Whether it was a bass derby, hunting trip, group vacations, weekly lunches, Sunday church and breakfast, playing dominos, or dressing as Santa at Christmas parties, he always had a story to tell and made people smile and laugh.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents John and Noreen, his brother John Popovitch and sisters Sandra Sue Smith and Sally Lengel. He is survived by his wife Judith, children Michael (Heidi) Popovitch and Erin Smith, his brother Kelly (Jamie) Popovitch and sister Debra (Jameel) Bakhsh, his grandchildren Keegan, Alex, Landin and Nolan, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be on Friday, October 10 from 2:00 to 7:00 pm and on Saturday, October 11 beginning at 9:00 am with funeral services at 10:00 am at Eggleston Meinert & Pavley Funeral Home, Millbury Chapel, 1111 Woodville Road, Millbury, Ohio. Interment will follow at Lake Township Cemetery.