Gerald Nathaniel Houchin

Gerald Nathaniel Houchin, 91, of Belle Center passed away on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, at his home. He was born on December 3, 1933, in Hardin County, Ohio to the late Lewis and Iva Maude (Baughman) Houchin.

On March 21, 1955, he married the former Severiana Marie “Ann” Herrera in Lumberton, New Mexico and she preceded him in death on September 24, 2017. He was also preceded in death by a son, Gerald A. “Gary” Houchin, and a great grandson, Maxwell Thimmes.

Surviving are his children, Kathy (Chris) Fulkerson, Susan (Tim) O’Rielley, Tony (Tammy) Houchin, and Diane (Mark) Coleman; daughter-in-law, Lisa Houchin; grandchildren, Andy (Amanda) Fulkerson, Nicole (Nate Harbour), Jill (Matt) Meighan, Becky (Bryan Finfrock) O’Rielley, Eric (Kiersten) Houchin, Tasha Ganson, Jodi Cooper, Billi (Matt) Hurley, Rachelle Ruth, Kasi (Chris) Searle, Shane (Taelor) Quay, Taylor (Nick) Ruble, Kylinn (Corey) Thimmes, Mason (Sydnee) Coleman; a beloved ‘Triple G’ to his great-grandchildren, Ethan Fulkerson, Trenton (Summer Petrisko) Fulkerson, Kora Fulkerson, Jett Harbour, Caleb and Carson Meighan, Dawson and Cameron Finfrock, Lenny Houchin, Taryn and Cami Bailey, Austin (Mackenzi) Cooper, Hunter Cooper, Hanna Cooper, Gage Cooper, Kaleb Hurley, Victoria Hurley, Olivia Hurley, Bryce Burton, Audry Burton, Vayda Ruth, Jackson Searle, Wally Quay, Presley Quay, Harper Ruble, Brooke Ruble, Elliott Thimmes, Maddox Coleman and Nyles Coleman; a great-great granddaughter, Emalyn Cooper; his brother, Don (Linda) Houchin; sister-in-law, Lillian Houchin; special nephew, Lance (Bev) Houchin; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins; along with extended family from out west.

He was a life member of the Belle Center Church of Christ where he taught Sunday School for many years and served as an Elder. He graduated from Belle Center High School in 1951 and was a U.S. Army Veteran serving in the Korean War and retired as Commander Sgt. Major of the 73rd Brigade after 20 years of service. 

He served on the Belle Center Council from 1964-1968, and then became the Mayor of Belle Center serving 16 years, 1968-1984. He served on the Village Council from 2003 to 2005 and was Village Administrator from 2005 to 2019. He was a lifetime member of the Willard Stout American Legion Post #266, and the Belle Center Lodge #347, F. & A.M. Gerald served on the Benjamin Logan School Board where he played an instrumental role in building the new school.

Gerald worked for the railroad, D.A.B., was custodian for Belle Center Schools (currently known as Benjamin Logan Local Schools) and retired as Water Superintendent for the Belle Center Water Dept. After retirement he continued to work as Water Manager of Lake Ridge Resort and Easton Water. And during that time, he worked for Richland Township taking care of the Memorial Building and the parks.

Pastor Kris Langstaff will officiate a funeral service on Tuesday, January 7th at 11:00 a.m. at the Belle Center Church of Christ, 213 Walnut Street, Belle Center, Ohio. The visitation will be on Monday, January 6th from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, 306 N. Elizabeth St., Belle Center, OH 43310. There will be a masonic service beginning at 6:45pm Monday. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Belle Center, with military honors provided by Logan County Veteran Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Belle Center Church of Christ, 213 Walnut Street, Belle Center, Ohio 43310 or to Universal Home Health & Hospice, 921 Rush Avenue, Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311.

EICHHOLTZ DARING & SANFORD FUNERAL HOME, BELLE CENTER, is honored to serve the Houchin family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com 

FAMILY AUTHORED OBITUARY

TFD