Lewis "Lew" J. Gottfried

Lewis “Lew” J. Gottfried, age 95 of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, passed away on Friday, October 6, 2017 at 5:50am at the Fairhaven Community in Upper Sandusky.

Lew was born on March 22, 1922 in Salem Township, Wyandot County to Lewis H. and Edna (Binau) Gottfried.  He married his high school sweetheart Frances I. Sworts on June 6, 1943 at North Salem Lutheran Church and they enjoyed 73 years of marriage before her passing on May 26, 2016.

Surviving are 3 children, Gloria (Bill) Fraley of Pa., Stephan (Joe Weiss) Gottfried of Pa., and Ron Gottfried of Upper Sandusky, 7 grandchildren, Lisa (Avery) Tucker, Md., Angelique Snavely of Tiffin, Heather Caudill of Findlay, Jeff (Amy) Myers of Tiffin, Carrie (Skip) Payne of Md., Jennifer (Jim) Ruhlen and Brian (Jandie) Gottfried, both of Upper Sandusky, 17 great grandchildren, 7 step-greatgrandchildren, 6 great great grandchildren, and a sister in law, Dorothy Gottfried of Upper Sandusky.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brother Harold Gottfried, andan infant brother Vernon.

Lew graduated from Salem Twp. School in 1940, where he played basketball and softball.  He was an avid pitcher, which started at age 10 and pitched until he was 80.  He also played horseshoe and dartball well in his 90’s. 

He was a member of the former North Salem Lutheran church and served on the church council as president and treasurer.

Lew ran a dairy farm with registered Holstein cows, and also ran and operated the Lovell Feed Mill.  After he sold the dairy cattle, he and his wife Fran, joined the Peace Corp and spent 2 years in the Dominican Republic helping residents to setup and run successful dairy operations in that country.  He also organized a foreign exchange program to promote farming methods in Europe, Nepal, Israel and the Dominican Republic. 

He also served as the Wyandot County Treasurer for 10 years, past president of the Federal Land Bak, past president of the Wyandot County Farm Bureau, and past manager of the Wyandot County Production Credit Association. 

He was a veteran of World War II proudly serving in the US Navy in the Pacific. 

Lew was a member of the Salem Grange, Upper Sandusky Lions Club, American Legion, BPOE #83, AMVETS, VFW, having served on the Upper Sandusky Color Guard for many years.  He also was active with the Wyandot County Senior Center, and served on the board.  He received the Rotary “Service Above Self” award and the Fairhaven “Spirit Award”, and the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Award.

He wrote several books, including one book that is in the Peace Corp National Library and one entitled, “Salem Dutch”, which was about his German Heritage in Salem Twp., of which he was so proud of, and wanting the future generations in the family to appreciate the history of the community.

Lew enjoyed traveling, and along with Fran, they served as AAA tour guides, traveling all over Europe.  For hobbies he enjoyed playing board games, playing cards, and following the Cleveland Indians, of which he did faithfully all through the years.

Funeral services for Lewis J. “Lew” Gottfried will be held at 11:00am Saturday, October 14, 2017 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Upper Sandusky with Rev. Ed Hunker, and Rev. Becky King officiating.  Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, where military honors will be conducted by the Upper Sandusky Color Guard.

Visitations will be held on Friday, October 13, from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at the Lucas-Batton Funeral Home in Upper Sandusky, and 1 hour before service time on Saturday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to North Salem Cemetery Association or FACT of Seneca County and can be sent to Lucas-Batton, 476 S. Sandusky Ave. Upper Sandusky, Ohio  43351.

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