Paul J. Naderer

Paul James Naderer, 89, of Fremont, passed away on Monday, July 10, 2023.  Paul was born June 20, 1934, to the late Joseph and Mary (Widman) Naderer.  He graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1952. 

Paul married Catherine “Kate” (Reiter) on June 16, 1956 and she survives him.  They were married for 67 years and together they raised six children:  Debbie (Paul) Bockelman of Perrysburg/Florida, Cindy (Bill) Bork of Fremont, Steve (Linda) Naderer of Fostoria, Linda (Russ) Jones of Howell, Michigan, Amy (Jevne) Meader of Sylvania and Carol (Nate) Garn of Newport News, Virginia.  In addition to Paul and Kate’s six children, their family includes 18 grandchildren: Emily (Charles) Lassetter, Brian (Jessie) Bockelman and Adam (Lindsey Peterson) Bockelman, Jennifer (Jason) Moody, Alisha Caldwell, Jamie (Justin) Terman, Dan (Sarah) Naderer, Chrissie (Sean) O’Shea, Jessie (James) Sherman, Kim (Joe) Wesselman, Bobby Jones, Abbey (Brad) Rudolph, Nicolas and Tyler Meader, Ashley (Daniel) Clements, Heather (Cory) Rey, Kendra and Cassie Garn; and 21 great-grandchildren: Brianna and Elise Lassetter, Louis and Marie Bockelman, Caitlin and Ryan Moody, Reagan and Jacoby Caldwell, Evelyn, Liam and Archie Terman, Makenzie Naderer, Eli, Ben and Zoe Sherman, Audrey O’Shea, Summer and Logan Wesselman, Jade Clements, Isabel Rey and Kason Garn.  Paul is also survived by his sisters-in-law Donna Reiter-Best and Linda Reiter.

Family was Paul’s pride and joy.  When asked what he most wanted for birthdays or holidays, his answer was always the same, “to have the family together.”

Paul was preceded in death by his siblings and their spouses: John (Irene) Naderer, Hubert “Dutch” (Millie) Naderer, Mary Naderer, Louis (May) Naderer, Betty (Francis “Shorty”) Ochs, Ann (Herman) Frankart, Helen (Lawrence “Red”) Gutschalk, Agnes (Bernard) Boes, his twin brother and best friend Pete (Marcie) Naderer and his great granddaughter, Charlotte Kate Lassetter.

Kate was truly the love of his life, a love that endured for 67 years.  Their marriage provided guidance and inspiration to their children, their children’s spouses, and all who knew them.  Before retirement and after, they loved to camp.  Whether it be the hills of West Virginia or Maumee Bay State Park, if there were stars above, a campfire, and friends and family, they were happy.  Together they made lasting memories on many vacations, none more than a fourteen-day Alaskan cruise.  Paul fell in love with Alaska’s beauty after spending weeks helping clean Prince William Sound in the wake of the Exxon Valdez disaster in 1989.  Closer to home, Paul was passionate about Notre Dame football, watching on TV when he could, and attending several games at Notre Dame Stadium with his brother Pete and wife, Marcie.  In his retirement, Paul enjoyed doting on Kate as any self-respecting chief cook and bottle washer would.  They matched wits playing cards and dominoes, not to mention enjoying, almost every day for the last several years, a lively three game match of Rummikub.

Paul was a farmer, and although he had many jobs throughout his life, farming was his favorite.  When he no longer actively farmed, he’d lend his expertise and labor to his son Steve’s farm in Fostoria.  At home, using Steve’s magic dirt, his own garden consistently produced magnificent green beans, potatoes, and tomato plants eight feet tall.  In fact, on the day he died, Paul’s potatoes and beans were blossoming as the tomatoes ripened.  Paul will be missed by his faithful, and quite spoiled companion, his dog Shadow.  Shadow took many long walks with Paul over the years and was rewarded with a steady diet of table scraps, belly rubs and much, much love.

Paul was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Millersville Catholic Church for over 60 years. He will be deeply missed by family and friends. 

Visitation will be 9:00-10:15 AM Monday, July 17 at St. Mary’s Millersville Church, 865 SR 635, Helena, OH, followed by a funeral mass at 10:30 AM.  Fr. Tad Oxley will officiate. Please do not send flowers.  Consider instead a donation to St. Mary’s Church, NAMI Northwest Ohio, or a charity of your choice.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.hermanfh.com

The Naderer family would like to thank the wonderful staff of the Acute Care Unit of Fremont Memorial Hospital and the ProMedica Hospice nurses who gave compassionate care not only to Paul, but to the family in the last days.

Herman-Veh Funeral Home & Crematory, Gibsonburg, has been entrusted with arrangements.