Eugene L. Schwieterman, 77
Eugene Leonard Schwieterman, 77, passed away at his home in New Bremen on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021 with the love of his life ever by his side.
Born on Aug. 30, 1944 in Los Angeles, California, Gene lived a life full of adventures. He graduated from Coldwater High School in 1963 and joined the Navy in 1964. He was stationed on the USS Nautilus SSN 571, USS George C. Marshall SSBN 654 and the USS Fulton AS 11; serving as a poseidon missile tech and a Subroc tech. It was during his time in the Navy that Gene met and immediately fell in love with Bonnie and would go on to build a beautiful life and family while living in Connecticut, Virginia, Florida and Ohio.
Aside from fishing, Gene was never one to sit around, which is why he was not only a jack of all trades, but he mastered them as well. Following his Naval service, Gene became a contractor, plumber, electrician, and served 30 years for New Bremen Local Schools as maintenance and head custodian until he retired in 2008. Even while working for the school district, Gene found time to build his own house. After his retirement, he went on to work at Walmart and Elmwood Assisted Living.
Gene’s love of running led him to compete in three marathons; he ran twice in the Columbus Marathon and once in the Boston Marathon in 1987. Gene also coached the New Bremen cross country team for three years and achieved the 1995 MAC Coach of the Year for the conference.
Later in life, you could often find Gene fishing, geocaching or spending time with his grandkids. When it came to geocaching, no cache was too high up in a tree, down deep in a ravine, or far across a busy highway for Gene. Never one to back away from a challenge, he would collect each cache with enthusiasm.
While he had numerous personal achievements, to him, none were greater than that of his family. Gene is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Bonnie (Booth) Schwieterman; his children Gene Schwieterman Jr. and his wife, Jo; Dan Schwieterman and his wife, Katy; Anna (Schwieterman) Sherman and her husband, Eric; and 11 wonderful grandchildren: Joshua Schwieterman and wife, Kiara; Andrew Schwieterman and wife, Cheyenne; Christian Schwieterman; Abigail Schwieterman and fiancé Christopher Grillot; Elizabeth Heitkamp; Allison Schwieterman; Aaron Schwieterman; Lily Sherman; Madelyn Schwieterman; Ashley Sherman; and Matthew Schwieterman. He also leaves behind his two sisters Bea Gross and Pat Carter, and brother, Billy LoPatriello and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins whom he loved dearly.
Gene was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Ann Schwieterman; brother, Ronald Schwieterman and sister, Betty Crosby.
The ever-humble Gene leaves behind a legacy because through his example, he taught those around him how to be more generous, work hard, and most importantly, love unconditionally. He was a helping-hand to those in need, a champion for those he loved, and a truly devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6 at the Church of the Holy Redeemer in New Bremen with Rev. Fr. Thomas Dorn and Deacon Greg Bornhorst officiating. Innichement will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 8, in the Dayton National Cemetery, near Dayton. Calling hours will be held from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 5, at the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen and from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the church on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Gene’s honor can be made to Grand Lake Hospice (1122 E. Spring St., St. Marys, Ohio 45885). Online condolences to the family can be made on the funeral home website: GilbergHartwigFH.com.