Carl E. Van Wert

1941 - 2021

(News Story)
By Mark Zaborney
Blade Staff Writer


LAMBERTVILLE - Carl E. Van Wert, whose election to two terms as Monroe County sheriff capped a law enforcement career that spanned four decades, died Monday in his Lambertville home. He was 80.

He died while asleep and the cause was not immediately known, his daughter Mischel Balazs said. He had hip replacement surgery July 29 and was looking forward to dancing at his granddaughter Sarah's wedding in October, 2022.

Mr. Van Wert was elected county sheriff in November, 1988, re-elected four years later, and served through 1996.

"His passion was law enforcement to the day he passed away," his daughter said. 'He expected professionalism from his troopers and deputies. What he expected from them was his life was well."

During the campaigns, "we walked many miles and knocked on many doors with my dad," Ms. Balazs said. He was seeking support, but also frankly told voters when a suggestion wasn't feasible.

"He was honest, and he listened to people's concerns," his daughter said. "He was a great listener."

He told The Blade after he first was elected that he saw the job as "bringing the sheriff's office back to the people.

"I think we should be responsive to the needs and the convenience of the citizens," Mr. Van Wert said at the time. "Monroe County now is involved in a period of rapid growth, and we have to be in step with the other county services."

As he sought re-election to a third term, Mr. Van Wert cited such accomplishments as placing computers in deputies' patrol cars; upgrading sidearms, and winning grants to hire officers. He had become president of the Michigan State Sheriff's Association as well.

But he was defeated in the August, 1996 Democratic primary by Tilman Crutchfield, then a Michigan State Police lieutenant, who went on to win the general election and become sheriff.

Mr. Van Wert, who grew up in East Toledo, was an Air Force veteran when he joined the Ohio State Highway Patrol, with assignments that included the Swanton and Lima posts. He graduated from Michigan State Police recruit school in 1966. He rose to the rank of lieutenant and commanded the Erie post in Monroe County when he retired and became sheriff.

He was born June 5, 1941, in Point Pleasant, W.Va., to Betty and Gerry Van Den Doleweert. He later legally shortened his surname.

"He went to my grandfather before he did, because he didn't want to dishonor the name," his daughter said, adding, "His joke was always that he had to shorten it to write it on a ticket."

He was a graduate of Waite High School, then received a bachelor of sociology degree from Saginaw Valley State University; a master of criminal justice administration degree from the University of Detroit, and a law degree from the University of Toledo.

He served the last 40 years on the board of Family Medical Center in Temperance.

Surviving are his wife, the former Deniece Dunbar, whom he married Dec. 9, 1976; daughters, Dorothy Boge, Mary Beltinck, Mischel Balazs, and Amy Van Wert; sons, Marc Ripmaster and Todd Van Wert; brother, Harry "Bucky" Van Den Doleweert; sister, Donna Van Den Doleweert; 14 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren

Visitation will be from 3-9 p.m. Monday in the Bedford Funeral Chapel, Temperance. Services will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Resurrection Lutheran Church on South Holland-Sylvania Road in Springfield Township, with visitation after 10 a.m. Arrangements are by the Urbanski Funeral Home, Toledo.

The family suggests tributes to Resurrection Lutheran Church, where he was a member.