Frederick Paul Stetzel

Frederick "Fred" Paul Stetzel died Monday morning, January 09, 2012 at the Memorial Hospital in Fremont. He was 83. Born in Fremont on June 14, 1928, Fred was a son of Fred Stephen and Golda Mae (Sevitts) Stetzel. He graduated from Ross High School in 1947. He married the former Bernadine Puffenberger of Tiffin on February 5, 1949 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fremont where they were members. Bernadine survives. Fred began his lengthy and successful business career in 1948 working as an assistant purchasing agent for Consolite Corporation which was then owned by Howard Zink. Fred was promoted to purchasing agent in 1950. In 1980, Fred's long term goal of owning a business came to fruition when he and business partners Hilary Durnwald and Ray Zweily purchased Consolite Corporation from the owner at that time, Fred's uncle, Emery Sevitts Jr. After many decades in his career, Fred semi-retired in 1996 transferring his share of the business to his son Robert. Fred's love of business held strong though and he continued working at Consolite Corporation on a part time basis serving as a business advisor. He worked there until the age of 81, when the company closed in August 2009. Aside from business, Fred also had a strong interest in local, state, and national politics. He was a very active member of the local Democratic Party for several decades. In 1971 Fred was elected as President of Fremont City Council. He served as interim Mayor of Fremont in 1973 and again in 1975 through 1976. He continued serving as President of Council when not serving as interim Mayor of Fremont. Fred was very active in the Jaycees and served as the organizations National Vice President. He was also very active in his community and volunteered countless hours to many charitable organizations. Fred enjoyed sports, in particular Ohio State football, and the Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians sports teams. He also enjoyed working in his yard and loved his pet St. Bernard, Bridgett. Most of all Fred loved his family. He was an extraordinary husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, known for his strength, courage, wisdom, wonderful smile and wry sense of humor. Fred was and will always remain beloved by his family and will be sorely missed by all those whose lives he touched. Surviving are his children Elizabeth Stetzel of Fremont and Robert (Dawn) Stetzel of Summerville, SC; grandchildren Eric (Lisa) Stetzel of Troy, OH, Stephanie Stetzel-Mackey of Punta Gorda, FL, Theodore (Danielle) Stetzel of Brooklyn, NY and Dorothy Stetzel of Chicago, IL; great grandchildren Jacob Mackey and Aubrey and Caleb Stetzel; and siblings Marcella "Sally" Collins of Tulsa, OK and Sydelle (Bernard) Widman of Sandusky. He is preceded in death by his parents, son Stephen, twin brother Theodore and brothers Edward and Robert. Brother-in-law Robert Collins, and sister-in-law Nancy Stetzel. A private visitation was held at the funeral home, on Wednesday, January 11, 2012. Graveside services and burial immediately followed at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery with Rev. Michael Zacharias of St. Joseph Catholic Church officiating. Contributions in his memory may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church where a memorial mass commemorating his life will take place at a later date.