Gerald W. Froelich, 95, of Defiance, died Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at The Lakes of Sylvania, Sylvania, Ohio, where he was a resident.

He was born on November 18, 1928, to Paul and Caroline (Puehl) Froelich in Defiance. On November 20, 1954, he married Marcella Wagner, who survives. He was a 1947 graduate of Defiance High School, where he was an offensive lineman on the football team and held the school shot put record in track & field at one time.

He was a lifelong member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Defiance, where he was a lector, parish council member and school board member. On June 2, 1948, he joined the Knights of Columbus 1039 Council, Defiance. Prior to his death, he was the oldest Knights of Columbus 1039 Council member in age and the oldest member in years of service at 75 years. He was a U.S. Army veteran, F Company 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, 3rd Armored Division. He served in the Korean War, where he was a Purple Heart recipient. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). He was an auto mechanic for Bolley Motor Sales and Lloyd Treadway Auto Sales in Defiance for nearly 50 years where he was known as "Jake." After retirement, he spent time as an assistant 7th-grade boys basketball coach for Defiance Junior High School. He loved sports, attending nearly every varsity basketball game of his sons at Ayersville High School from 1972-85, sitting at the top row with his wife, and keeping track of points and fouls next to the players' names listed in the program. He also watched his children and grandchildren in various other sports, school, dance and cheer activities. He made rosaries often at his workbench and donated many of them to special church functions. He and his wife were inseparable best friends; whether it was trips to the grocery store, volunteering for Meals on Wheels, volunteering at the church, or going on trips to watch grandchildrens' activities, they were always together.

He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Marcella; a daughter, Barbara (Dennis) Weber, of Ney; four sons, Joseph (Cathy), of Perrysburg, Michael (Jennifer), of Sylvania, James (Amy), of Monclova, and Mark (Lisa), of Defiance; 12 grandchildren: Nicholas (Leslie), of Avon Lake; Nathan (Kerry), of Sunbury; Jacob (Emily), of Johnstown; Hilary (Zack) Lemon, of Toledo; Sydney, of Columbus; Noah (Beth Felerski), of Orlando, Fla.; Bridgette, of Sylvania; Emma (James) Forina, of Eagan, Minn.; Lucas, of Maumee; Daniel, of Monclova; Lindsay (Jacob) Estle, of Defiance; and Lea (Jacob Eberly), of Toledo; 7 great-grandchildren: Elizabeth, Maggie, Grace and Maddie Froelich; Annie Lemon; Joseph Forina and Cameron Estle. He also is survived by two sisters: Alberta Kwiatkowski, of Toledo; and Kate Donley, of Defiance.

He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Diane; great-granddaughter, Hannah Froelich; and sister, Alice Shortridge.

Visitation will be Friday, April 5, from 2-8 p.m. and Saturday, April 6, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Schaffer Funeral Home South, Lawson-Roessner Chapel, (1753 South Clinton Street) in Defiance, OH 43512. A Rosary Service will be at 7 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, April 6 at 11 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Defiance, with Fr. David Cirata officiating. Burial following at Riverside Cemetery, Defiance.

The family would like to thank the compassionate caregivers at The Lakes of Sylvania for their quality care for Jerry over the last few years.

Preferred memorials are to Holy Cross Catholic School or St. John's Catholic the Evangelist Catholic Church, both in Defiance.

St John Catholic Church, Defiance
510 Jackson Ave Defiance, OH 43512, Defiance OH 43512
Tel: 1-419-782-7121
Web: http://www.stjohndefiance.org/

Holy Cross Catholic School
1745 S. Clinton St. Defiance, OH, OH
Tel: 1-419-784-2021
Web: http://www.defianceholycross.org/