Thomas R. Schroeder

Thomas R. Schroeder

  GLANDORF - Thomas R. Schroeder, 87, of Glandorf, died 2:10 a.m. Sunday, December 5, 2021 at Mercy Health St. Rita's Ambulatory Care Center in Glandorf.  Tom was born October 31st, 1934 in Lima to the late Raymond and Helen (Kern) Schroeder. He grew up in Schroederville, in Greensburg Township, where he learned the virtue of hard work from an early age. On November 4th, 1959, he married Rosemarie Drerup, and they enjoyed 59 years of marriage together until her death in 2019. Tom and Rosie moved to Glandorf in 1962, spending the rest of their days in the town they both loved.

 Tom worked at the Putnam County Garage for 36 Years, and when he retired, he knew every road in Putnam County because he had plowed all of them.  He could operate any piece of heavy equipment with skill.  He was an expert mechanic, and could fix or build most anything – in the mid 1970’s, he built his own field tile ditch filler from parts of a Mack truck and an Army surplus “duck”, using the machine to operate his own  ditch filling business for famers throughout  NW Ohio.  Tom and his brother Gary farmed together for many years at the home place.  After he retired from the County Garage, Tom helped to manage the construction of the Glandorf sewer and water system, the Putnam County Jail, and the Ambulatory Care Center.  Tom served several terms as an elected member of the Glandorf Board of Public Affairs, and he took great pride in the role he played in improving the Glandorf community.

  Our Dad loved telling stories of his youth, his youth, his work, and his heritage, and his children and grandchildren loved hearing them, even if they had heard them before (and they had).  He honed his craft at the monthly meetings of the Glandorf Rod & Gun Club, where food, drink, and tall tales were shared with his many friends.  He had a magnetic personality; people were drawn to him, and he never knew a stranger.  Children loved him and he could quiet any crying baby.  If there was a dog or cat around, they were near him; he enjoyed the dogs and tolerated the cats.  His deep faith, optimistic nature, and stoic strength helped him to endure the challenges he faced and were a source of comfort for those close to him.

   Tom loved Putnam County and especially Glandorf, and never wanted to live anywhere else.  He was rich in the things that really matter in this world:  the love of a family who adored him and the contentment that came from a life well lived.  He will be sorely missed!

  Survivors include five children: Kevin (Tammy) Schroeder, Terry (Teresa) Schroeder both of Ottawa, Tony (Melanie) Schroeder, Kelly (Scott) Schroeder both of Glandorf and Jill Schroeder of Louisville, KY; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; six siblings: Dale (Ruth) Schroeder of Bowling Green, Gary (Jan) Schroeder of Kalida, Evelyn Palte of Glandorf, Pat Hovest of Glandorf, Doris Eith of New Jersey, Diane Warnecke of Kalida; and a sister-in-law: Jean Schroeder

  Tom was also preceded in death by a daughter: Becky Schroeder; a granddaughter: Kerri Shank; a brother: Louie Schroeder; and a sister: Rita (Elmer) Maas; and four brothers-in-law: Bill Palte, Greg Hovest, Bob Eith and Jim Warnecke.

  Funeral mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 10, 2021 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Glandorf with Fr. Tony Fortman officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.  A scripture service will be held Thursday at 1:45 p.m. with visitation from 2-8 p.m. at LOVE FUNERAL HOME, Ottawa and Friday 9:30 a.m. until the time of mass at the church.

  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Glandorf Park Association.

  Online condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com