Thomas Winterich's Obituary
Thomas M. Winterich, age 59, of North Ridgeville, passed away Saturday, August 13, 2011 at Fairview Hospital, following a short illness.
He was born in Cleveland and lived in North Ridgeville since 2000. Previously he was a longtime resident of Olmsted Falls.
Tom graduated from St. Edward High School in Lakewood and attended Cleveland State University. He graduated with Honors from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. Tom is a member of the Ohio Embalmer's Association, the American Society of Embalmers and past President of the Embalmer's Association of Cleveland, was active with and hosted many A.F.S. students and recently served on the Advisory Board of the North Ridgeville Senior Center.
Tom was a licensed funeral director and embalmer for the past 38 years, most recently with the David Bogner Family Funeral Home in North Ridgeville, until retiring due to illness in May. He had previously managed two funeral homes in the Norwalk area and also had worked with Dostal Funeral Services in North Olmsted and Chambers Funeral Home in Cleveland.
He enjoyed writing poetry, traveling, boating, fishing, reading, playing games, was an avid Cleveland Indians fan and loved to play practical jokes on people. He also was great at performing, singing and doing standup comedy. He was a visiting DJ for a local radio station. Tom enjoyed buying and selling cars and boats.
He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Barb (nee Stiles), daughter Carolyn (Howard) Call of Kalamazoo, MI; brothers, Rev. Mr. Carl (Bonnie) Winterich of Hudson, Bob (Carol) Winterich of Collinsville, IL, Ralph “Rut” (Nancy) Winterich of Dubois, PA; sisters, Elaine (Larry) Butler of North Ridgeville, Mary Ann (Larry “Splash”) Coy of Goodyear, AZ , Jeanne (Dave) Fredecker of Rocky River and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Rebecca in 1985 and parents, Ralph F. and Irene C. (nee Wallenhorst) Winterich.
Friends may call Tuesday from 4-8 PM at the David Bogner Family Funeral Home, 36625 Center Ridge Rd., North Ridgeville where a prayer service will be held on Wednesday at 9:15 AM. A 10 AM Mass will follow at St. Mary of the Falls, 25615 Bagley Rd., Olmsted Falls. Rev. Sean Ralph will be the celebrant assisted by Tom’s brother, Rev. Mr. Carl Winterich.
Burial will be in Chestnut Grove Cemetery, Olmsted Falls.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
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