Heidi Sitzenstock ’83 (sister to Synda ’86 and Stephanie ’88) passed away

Heidi Sitzenstock

Heidi Sitzenstock, 53, passed away on her daddy’s birthday, August 6th after a courageous battle with cancer. Heidi was in hospice care in Monticello, KY surrounded by her daughter, Paulianne, her old puppy, Pud, her sister, Synda (Gary) Heikkinen and lots of love and peace.

Heidi was a graduate of McAuley High School and earned a Masters degree in education from University of Toledo.

Heidi worked in many schools in the Toledo public school system and the last seven years was an 8th grade science teacher and the advisor to the National Junior Honor Society at Beverly School.

Left behind is her beloved daughter, Paulianne “Peanut”, who was the center of her universe.

Please join us at noon, Saturday, August 25th at Beverly School for a lunch and celebration of Heidi’s life. Bring pictures, stories, laughter and tears.

View the online memorial for Heidi Sitzenstock

Published in Toledo Blade on Aug. 10, 2018

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Husband of Carol Malak ’67 passed away

John Andrew Gralak, age 69, passed away on July 31, 2018. He was born on April 8, 1949 to the late Lois (Marok) and Daniel Gralak in Toledo, OH.

John worked at Unyses as the Quality Assurance Manager. He also worked at Schindler as a Computer Tech. John loved traveling all over the country, gardening and photography. He also enjoyed outdoor grilling on his TraegerGrill. John adored his six step-grandchildren and loving and hugging all of them.

John is survived by his beloved wife, Carol; sister, Sandee (Ronald) Michalak; step-daughter, Wendy Wisniewski; step-son, Jeffry Ellis; step-grandchildren, Logan Ellis-Sobczak, Isabelle McLaughlin, Simon Wisniewski, Ava Wisniewski, Peter Wisniewski and Caleb Ellis; nephew, Matt Michalak.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at St. Joseph Parish, 628 Locust Street, Toledo. Fr. Matthew Rader officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests Memorial Donations be made to University of Michigan Football or St. Jude Children’s Research Center.

To leave condolences for John’s Family, please visit:

www.NewcomerToledo.com

View the online memorial for John Andrew Gralak

Published in Toledo Blade on Aug. 5, 2018

Amy Thorpe Wiley ’86 article in “The Promise” a Susan G Komen NW Ohio Newsletter

Mother of Barbara Spitulski Brady ’62 passed away

Obituary for Louise Dorothy Spitulski

Louise D. Spitulski completed her journey on this earth July 6th, 2018. She was born to Melvin and Hugo Schmakel on November 20th, 1921.
Louise graduated from Libbey High School where she met her future husband Raymond Spitulski. They married and had 2 children. Louise engaged in many activities; she loved making greeting cards, sewing and doing needlepoint. She was hard working, feisty and always ready to do anything if asked or needed. She also traveled to many places around the world and was always up to a good game of cards. Louise was active in the community. She was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church for over 60 years and belonged to the American Legion Post 18. She worked at Haddads Bungalow and then at Huntington Bank for many years and was also a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years Raymond, parents Melvina and Hugo Schmakel; brother Henry (Frances), Edward (Helen), Warren (Ellie), Glen (Patricia), and friend Jim Mohn.
Louise is survived by her daughter Barbara Brady; son Robert; grandchildren Marianne (Mike) Peacock, Michael (Marsha) Brady, Thomas (Andrea) Brady, Christine Smith (fiancé Andy Troiani), John (Susan) Spitulski, Robert (Carla) Spitulski, Jim (Deanna) Spitulski, Matthew (Angie) Beil, Justin (Shelley) Beil; 31 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson.
She will be greatly missed by all of those who loved her.
Friends may visit at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd., on Wednesday, July 11 from 4-8 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, July 12 beginning at 9:15 a.m., in the mortuary, followed by a Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Church at 10:00 a.m. Entombment to follow in Toledo Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorials in her honor may be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Church on Hill Avenue.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Louise Dorothy Spitulski please visit ourSympathy Store.

Heather McCrea Goodman ’75 passed away

I don’t have more than the obit which noted that she passed away June 23, 2016 and was a resident of Pemberville, OH at the time of her passing.

Anita Gouttiere O’Leary ’62 passed away (I just found this)

O’LEARY Anita L. Anita L. O’Leary, 67 years of Toledo passed away Thursday, January 5, 2012 at the Advanced Specialty Hospital. She was born in Maumee to the late Ademer Gouttierre and Adeline (Yeager) Gouttierre. She attended St. Joseph Catholic elementary school in Maumee and was a 1962 graduate of McAuley High School and the former Warners School of Cosmetology in 1963. She married Thomas O’Leary on August 21, 1965 and they had one daughter, Michelle Lynn, born in 1968. Her father owned Gouttierre Pastry shop in Maumee and she along with her three brothers were expected to work early every Saturday morning which didn’t always thrill them. She enjoyed golf, tennis, bowling and hosted many golf outings with her sister-in-law, Anne O’Leary. She was also an avid reader, often reading 3 or 4 books per week. Anita had a wonderfully close relationship with her family, especially her daughter, Michelle and loved spending time with her. When the grandchildren, Matt and Ali came along, they were the love of her life. Anita was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at age sixteen and endured 26 surgeries in her 51 year battle with the disease. She had an amazing ability to cope with her illness and she helped many young girls who were facing the prospect of having a colostomy. Even when she wasn’t feeling well she would greet people with a smile and keep a positive attitude about life. Anita is survived by her husband, Thomas O’Leary; daughter, Michelle (Trevor) Chillson; grandchildren, Matthew and Alison; brothers, Thomas (Marylu) Gouttierre, Michael (Marcia) Gouttierre and James (Sue) Gouttierre; brother and sister-in-law, Timothy and Anne O’Leary; mother-in-law, Dolores C. O’Leary; seven nephews, Adam, Nestor, Edward and Matthew Gouttierre, and Todd, Andrew and Thomas O’Leary; niece, Heather (Steven) West. Also surviving is her aunt and godmother, Sister Marie Michelle (Rosemary) Gouttierre, OSU and Mary Rita Gouttierre. Anita has donated her body for medical research to The UT Medical Center. The family will be receiving friends Monday, January 9th beginning at 10:30 a.m. at St. Rose Church, Perrysburg where a Memorial Mass will begin at 11:30 a.m. A luncheon will follow at the Holiday Inn, French Quarter Perrysburg. Memorials may take the form of contribution to the Crohn’s Disease and Colitis Foundation of America, 386 Park Ave.7th Floor, New York City, NY 10016. Please view and sign our online guest registry at CoyleFuneralHome.com Please direct any floral tributes to the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 So. Reynolds Road, Toledo, OH 43614 for distribution to the family.

Published in Toledo Blade from Jan. 7 to Jan. 8, 2012

Father of Leslie Gonzalez ’86 passed away:

(News story) Victor J. Gonzalez, Jr., who protected six U.S. presidents as a Secret Service agent and led the agency in a $2 million counterfeit money sting, died June 16. He was 81.

Mr. Gonzalez was on a road trip to pick up a dog when his heart failed at a hotel in Joplin City, Mo., his son, Mitchell Gonzalez, said.

Born to Victor Gonzalez, Sr., and Juana Gonzalez Cruz on June 21, 1936, Mr. Gonzalez grew up in Humacao, Puerto Rico, before his family moved to New York City, Mitchell Gonzalez said.

He graduated from Stuyvesant High School, a high-achieving public school in New York, and Bloomfield College. After serving in the Army, he later earned a law degree from Inter-American University in San Juan.

While working for the Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Gonzalez was recruited to the Secret Service as the first Puerto Rican native to serve as a regular agent. In his first year, he accompanied President John F. Kennedy on a trip to Costa Rica, marking the first trip by a sitting president to Latin America.

With fluency in Spanish, Mr. Gonzalez rose in the ranks to lead the agency’s San Juan office. After his son expressed interest in attending Ohio State University, Mr. Gonzalez moved to Toledo to make his son’s dream possible. He later transferred to the University of Toledo.

Often a host to diplomats and U.S. politicians, Mr. Gonzalez traveled across the world with sitting presidents, including a tour of seven European countries with President Richard Nixon and a fact-finding trip in Latin America with former Vice President Nelson Rockefeller.

But much of the work of local Secret Service offices involves forged government documents, counterfeit money, and background checks on federal employees.

In 1982, he led the department in a bust that recovered $2 million in falsified bills, leading to the arrest of several people operating a counterfeit ring. A photo that appeared in The Blade showed Mr. Gonzalez holding stacks of $20s beside suitcases brimming with bills.

“He liked being in charge,” his son said. “Some things he couldn’t talk about. Some things he could.”

After leaving the agency, he served as a county prosecutor and went into private practice.

But outside of his work protecting diplomats and cracking down on criminals, Mr. Gonzalez could often be found dancing throughout the house with his late wife to Spanish salsa music, a tribute to their shared Puerto Rican heritage.

Mr. Gonzalez is survived by his second wife, Kathy Hynes Gonzalez; daughter, Leslie J. Knight; son, Mitchell Gonzalez, and three grandchildren.

His service will take place at 11 a.m. Aug. 4 at the Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Va.

This is a news story by Hailey Fuchs. Contact her at hfuchs@theblade.com, 419-724-6050, or on Twitter @Hailey_Fuchs.

Published in Toledo Blade on June 29, 2018

Mother of Mary Pat ’69, Bridget ’71, Colleen ’74 and Sheila ’84 (daughter-in-law Stacey Koepfer ’81) Leonard passed away.

Claramae Leonard

The former Claramae Linenkugel passed away June 19, 2018 at Lakes of Monclova. The daughter of Henry and Irene (Fleck) Linenkugel, she was born October 21, 1927 in Toledo. Claramae graduated from Immaculate Conception Grade School and Central Catholic High School. While at Central she perfected her famous basketball moves and met many of her lifelong friends. She shared years of companionship with “The Girls”. They enjoyed bunco, bridge, bowling, lunches and a bit of traveling. During this time she also met Joseph W. Leonard, Sr. who became the love of her life. They were married October 1, 1949 at Blessed Sacrament Church in Toledo. Claramae left Mary Manse College to become a stay-at-home mom a few years later. Claramae and Joe had five children.

Joe and Claramae were founding members of St. Patricks of Heatherdowns parish. Claramae enjoyed volunteering at St. Pat’s. She was a Girl Scout Leader, eucharistic minister, funeral lunch volunteer and White Elephant Booth attendant. Claramae went back to the University of Toledo in 1984 and received her Bachelor’s degree in Education on June 15, 1991 at the age of 63. She was a substitute teacher at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School for over 15 years. Claramae loved nothing more than being with her entire family on holidays. Renditions of the 12 Days of Christmas were legendary. She would also sing Happy Birthday to every member of the family on their special day in her special way. She was the sweetest person ever.

Claramae is survived by her husband, Joe; brother, Paul Linenkugel; sisters-in-law, Jan Linenkugel and Jean Linenkugel; children, Mary Pat (John) Nahacky, Bridget (Jim) Marlow, Colleen (Jeff) Kander, Joe (Stacey) Leonard, Jr., and Sheila (Matthew) Wright; grandchildren, Sam (Katie) Marlow, Charlie (Jess) Marlow, Betsy (Tim) Root, Nick Marlow, Brent Kander, Ryan (Ashley) Kander, Erin (Max) Malone, Sean Kander, Melissa (Anthony) Frogameni, Kaitlin (Shravan) Leonard-Murali, Joe Leonard, III, Connor Wright and Kyle Wright; great-grandchildren, Sophie and Savanna Kander, James and Will Root, Emmett and Alyssa Marlow, Matthew and Michael Kander, Ella Frogameni, Janie Claramae Marlow, and Baby Malone on the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Hank; sister, Mern Wester; and brother-in-law, Joe Wester.

She was also preceded in death by her Leonard-in-laws; Naomi and Jack Beverlin, Dorthy and Bill Sanderson, Mary Jane and Norman Oaks, Peg and Forrest Bunner, Jim Leonard, Mabel and Curt Borer, Eleanor and Bob Ruch, Pat Leonard, and Mike Leonard.

Friends may visit at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd., on Friday, June 22nd from 2-8 p.m. where a Scripture Service will be recited at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 23rd beginning at 10:30 a.m., in the mortuary, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Church at 11 a.m. Entombment Resurrection Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the Staff at the Lakes of Monclova for truly caring about our mother.

Donations can be made in Claramae’s name to St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Parish. Please view and sign our online “guest registry” at

www.coylefuneralhome.com

View the online memorial for Claramae Leonard

Funeral Home

Coyle Funeral Home
1770 S Reynolds Rd Toledo, OH 43614
(419) 865-1295

Published in Toledo Blade from June 20 to June 21, 2018

Father of Cynthia ’73, Monica ’75 & Angela ’77 Langevin passed away

Thomas Raymond Langevin, 87, of Lakeland, FL formerly of Maumee, OH went peacefully home to the Lord on Friday, June 1, 2018, at Good Shepherd Hospice House in Lakeland, FL. Born on June 24, 1930, Tom was the second child of William and Hilda (Hohl) Langevin of Rossford, OH.

Upon graduating from Rossford High School, Tom enlisted in the US Navy where he proudly served his country during the Korean War on the USS Meeker County, a tank landing ship (LST-980), as an Engineman Second Class between 1948 and 1952. After receiving an Honorable Discharge from the Navy, he worked at Libbey-Owens-Ford in Rossford, OH for 37 years. Retiring in 1989, Tom later enjoyed researching the history of the USS Meeker County and organizing reunions for the sailors, thereby connecting people and reuniting old friends who served on that ship throughout her history.

Tom was active in sports throughout his youth and carried that interest throughout his life. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, bowling, golfing, and coaching Little League in Maumee, OH. He was faithful to his beloved Detroit Tigers in both good times and in bad – eventually moving in 1998 to Lakeland, FL which is home to the Tigers’ spring training camp. When he wasn’t busy keeping his yard and garden plants in order, watching sports on television was a favorite pastime.

Tom married the love of his life, Margaret M. Armbruster of Perrysburg, OH on July 10, 1953 at St. Rose Church. She survives. Tom also leaves behind his six loving children: Cynthia Lafferty (Gary) of Lakeland, FL; Thomas Langevin (Sandie) of Perrysburg, OH; Monica Langevin (Tony McRae) of Rockingham, NC; Angela Langevin of Lambertville, MI; John Langevin (Peggy) of Peachtree City, GA; and the Rev. Paul Langevin OFM Conv. of Milwaukee, WI. He will be missed dearly by his five grandchildren, Zachary Asbury (Shannon), Jason Langevin (Elizabeth), Jennifer Justen (Michael), Taylor Langevin, and Julia Langevin as well as his five great-grandchildren, Nicholas Justen, Emmeline Langevin, Grant Justen, Genevieve Langevin, and Peyton Asbury. Tom is also survived by his brothers and sister: Vincent Langevin (Agnes) of Rossford, OH; Michael Langevin (Judy) of McCormick, SC; Tina Lingenfelder (Richard) of Roseville, CA. He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews as well. He was preceded in death by his infant son; both his parents; his brother, William Langevin (Violet) (Gail of Corinth, MS); and many Armbruster family in-laws.

Tom was a man of faith who was dedicated to his wife and family, and to serving the needs of others as a Knight of Columbus, a past president of the St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. Joseph Church, Maumee, OH, and a Eucharistic Minister at St. Anthony Church, Lakeland, FL. His passing is softened in knowing God has welcomed him to His side forever.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to all those at Good Shepherd Hospice House of Lakeland, FL for their compassionate and dignified care given to Tom and the Langevin family.

Friends will be received Friday, June 8, 2018 from 3-8 p.m. at Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home, 501 Conant St., Maumee, OH with a Prayer Service at 7 p.m. Prayers will be recited in the funeral home, Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 9:15 a.m. A Funeral Mass will follow at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Maumee, OH with burial immediately following at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Lakeland, FL where Tom was a parishioner the past 20 years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Tom’s memory be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 3450 Lakeland Hills Boulevard, Lakeland, FL 33805 or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be made online to the family at:

walkerfuneralhomes.com

View the online memorial for Thomas Raymond Langevin

Published in Toledo Blade on June 5, 2018

Mother of Donna ’65, Charlene ’69, Margaret ’74, Regina ’78, Michelle 84 Reger (and daughter-in-law Susan Miller ’72) passed away

Adele Marie Reger

Born Adele Marie Slack on June 14, 1927, the widow of Charles J. Reger, passed away on June 2, 2018 in Hospice of Northwest Ohio where her family kept vigil by her side.

Adele and Charles married upon his return from WWII. Adele was the mother of seven children and helped her husband, who after the War succeeded his father as the proprietor of Reger’s Church Supplies, formerly located on Erie Street in Toledo. Adele could be found working behind the counter of the family store that catered to the Catholic churches of northwest Ohio. She was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed making her children’s wedding dresses, baptismal clothes, and running a very active household. Adele loved her family dearly, and they all, to this day, gather regularly for family milestones and holidays with the Reger Family Christmas Eve being the most noteworthy on the calendar. She was a long-time member of St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Parish, where each of her children and many of her grandchildren attended school.

Adele is survived by her seven children: Donna Engwert-Loyd, Charles (Kathy Jo) Reger, Charlene (John) Gintzel, Mark (Susan) Reger, Margaret (Timothy) Story, Regina (James) Layman, and Michele (Ryan) Saunders. Adele is also survived by her 17 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and her loyal feline friend and companion, Charlie. The legacy of Adele and Charles Reger will live on forever in the hearts of their loving family, who miss them both dearly.

The family will receive guests at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd., on Wednesday, June 6th from 4-8 p.m. where the Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 7th beginning at 9:30 a.m., in the mortuary, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Church at 10 a.m. Entombment Resurrection Cemetery.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Hospice of Northwest Ohio & Kingston of Perrysburg for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Please view and sign our online “guest registry” at:

www.coylefuneralhome.com

View the online memorial for Adele Marie Reger

Published in Toledo Blade from June 4 to June 5, 2018