Mr. Oliver Henry "Hank" Schlesselman

Oliver Henry Schlesselman, known to friends and family as "Hank", passed away on Friday July 31, 2020 after a long battle with Parkinsons disease. Hank was born to Oliver and Jeanne Schlesselman on Kelleys Island, Ohio on November 13, 1940. Hank had an idyllic childhood playing along the shores of Lake Erie with his many cousins, hunting for fossils, swimming at the quarry, and helping with the grape harvest each fall. His family later moved to the mainland where Hank graduated from Vermilion High School. He served in the US Army as a Military Policeman stationed in Korea. After a brief period of wanderlust that lead him to California to race cars, he returned to Ohio where he met and married Sonya Bellrose. Hank's lifelong dream was to be a policeman. He achieved that dream when he graduated from the Lorain County Community College Police Academy and joined the Huron Police Department. In 1980 he, his wife, and their two young daughters moved to Port St. Lucie, Florida where Hank became a founding member of the Port St. Lucie Police Department and in 1981, became their second Chief of Police. He was a firearms instructor at Indian River Community College and a former board member and instructor with the International Association of Law Enforcement Instructors. In retirement, Hank was a passionate antiquarian and purveyor of collectible military memorabilia and firearms, as well as a scholar, poet, and artist. His life was a beautiful example of sacrifice for family, community, and country. Hank was predeceased by his parents and eldest sister, Miriam Haynes, and is survived by his wife of nearly 53 years, Sonya; his daughters Hallie Trainor (David Trainor) and Wendy Mullins (Jon Mullins); his grandchildren Taylor Currie, Ian Mullins (currently serving in the Navy overseas), and Riley Mullins; his sisters Carol Schnittker and Ardith Enlow; and many nieces, nephews, and friends who will sorely miss his sharp wit, wry sense of humor, unwavering dependability, and generous spirit.