Harold Paul "Herk" Wolfe

Harold Paul “Herk” Wolfe age 86 of Upper Sandusky, Ohio passed away peacefully at 6:45 AM Thursday March 2, 2017 at the Bridge Hospice Care Center, Findlay, Ohio.

He was born in Canton, OH, February 16, 1931 to Harold C. “Curly” and Beatrice L. (Bemenderfer) Wolfe, both of whom are deceased. He married his bride of 64 years and love of his life, Patricia Ann (Gohlke) Wolfe on May 24, 1952 and she survives.

He is also survived by his children: David Joseph and his wife Bonnie (nee Frisch), Timothy Allen and his wife Katherine (nee Payne), Cathy (Wolfe) Cole, Lisa Kaye and husband Richard Dunn, 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Herk was preceded in death by his sister Mary Jo (Wolfe) Theye

He graduated from the Staunton Military Academy (1949), attended Northwestern University where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, and graduated from Findlay College (1954) where as a captain of the basketball team led Findlay College to its first National Assn. of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) appearance. He led the nation in scoring in 1952-53 (704 pts.) and his single game collegiate scoring record of 62 points was eclipsed by Wilt Chamberlin a decade later. Following graduation from Findlay College Herk went to work for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. in Akron, OH, in the sales and marketing department. In 1959 he left Goodyear to work with his father in the crushed stone industry at Wyandot Dolomite in Carey, OH, where he quickly became an integral part of the company. In the early 1960’s they expanded the business to include asphalt paving, and opened rail distribution and unloading facilities for stone in Northeast Ohio. Wyandot Dolomite was a closely held private corporation. As investors divested, Herk and his father acquired stock to the point that they held controlling interest in the early 1970’s. “Curly” Wolfe died suddenly in 1977 and Herk was appointed president of the company and subsequently Chairman of the Board of Directors. Wyandot Dolomite went on to become one of the top producing crushed stone facilities in Ohio. As Chairman of the National Limestone Institute Herk presided over the merger with the National Crushed Stone Assn. to create the National Stone Assn. (NSA), the largest such industry association in the U.S. He served the aggregates and asphalt industries in many capacities for over 40 years. He was Chairman of the Ohio Aggregates Association, NSA, Flexible Pavements of Ohio and served numerous terms on their boards of directors.

Herk was appointed by the Governor of Ohio as a commissioner on the Ohio Rail Development Commission where he served many terms. He was President of the Upper Sandusky School Board, on the executive committee of the Private Industry Council, board of directors at the Betty Jane Rehabilitation Center, Tiffin, OH, National Association of Railway Shippers and many other charitable and industry groups. He was a 32nd degree Freemason and involved with Shriner’s International. He was a member of the B.P.O. Elks lodge and a devoted supporter of the University of Michigan’s athletic programs. He served his alma mater, the University of Findlay, in many capacities; as a member of the Alumni Board of Governors, President of the Varsity F Club, Community Focus Group, Renninger Scholarship Endowment Fund and University Board of Trustees. He gave of himself to too many other groups to list. He was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame, the University of Findlay and Hancock County Halls of Fame. Herk was a faithful member of the First Lutheran Church of Upper Sandusky.

There are few who led a more fulfilling life, touched as many lives as he did and had grand fun doing so. Loving husband, great dad, wonderful grandfather, great-grandfather and the closest friend imaginable!  He will be greatly missed!

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Monday March 6, 2017, at the First Lutheran Church, 601 N. Sandusky Ave., Upper Sandusky, OH with Pastor Gene Luidhardt, SAM,  officiating. Burial will follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery, Upper Sandusky and subsequent fellowship luncheon at the Upper Sandusky Elks.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, March 5, from 2:00pm to 8:00pm at the Lucas-Batton Funeral Home, 476 S. Sandusky Ave. Upper Sandusky, Ohio and 1 hour before service time at the church on Monday.  There will be a Masonic Memorial Service at 7:00pm Sunday at the funeral home.

A memorial celebration of his life will be held and announced at a later date in Findlay, OH. 

Memorial contributions may be made to University of Findlay Alumni Association or Bridge Home Health & Hospice and can be sent to Lucas-Batton Funeral Home, 476 S. Sandusky Ave. Upper Sandusky, Ohio 43351. 

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