Wendell H. Oberschlake

Wendell Hugh Oberschlake, 77, of Bucyrus died Saturday, November 3, 2018 at Bucyrus Community Hospital after battling cancer for two years.



Known to most as Wendy, he was born in Georgetown, Ohio on July 11, 1941 to the late Hugh E. R. and Alma “Ruth” (Hilterbran) Oberschlake. The family made their way to Fayette County where Wendy and his brothers worked on the family farm and he was one of 22 graduates in the Bloomingburg High School Class of 1959. After a brief term as a Marine reservist, Wendy served in the US Army from 1959-1962 and was stationed in Germany. He was married to his high school classmate, Loretta P. Cox, on February 8, 1964 at Grace Methodist Church in Washington C.H. by his uncle, the Rev. George Groh. Wendy and Loretta made their home in Washington C.H. before transferring to Bucyrus in 1968 when he was working for Economy Loan. Wendy then took computer courses in Lexington and studied business at Marion Tech. He joined Ohio Mutual Insurance Group in 1971 where he worked for 35 years, retiring as their computer operations manager.



Those who knew Wendy know he was all about family and community. He was a member of the former First Christian Church where he served on council and since joining Good Hope Lutheran, he was an usher, served on various committees, and as council president. He was a member of the American Legion Post 181 Honor Guard, past member of Moose Lodge 669 playing on their softball team, a dedicated blood donor giving several gallons over his lifetime, league bowler, Community Concert Association Board, and Meals on Wheels and Habitat for Humanity volunteer. He served on the Bucyrus City School Board for 14 years and was their representative on the Pioneer Technical School Board. He was also a very active member of the Bucyrus Kiwanis Club since 1968, holding several roles including Past President and Treasurer, was a seasoned “Pit Boss” and maker of the “secret sauce” for the annual chicken BBQ, cooking hundreds of gallons of sauce and flipping tens of thousands of birds over his 50 years in the club.



When he wasn’t serving his community, Wendy loved woodworking, home projects, and traveling and looking at the countryside. He enjoyed many heated games of Joker with friends and family and was an avid sports fan whose heart can be broken no more by his beloved Cleveland teams.



Wendy is survived by his wife of 54 years, Loretta Oberschlake; two sons, Michael and his wife, Tracey Hepner, of Suwanee, Ga. and Scott of Flowery Branch, Ga.; sisters-in-law, Donna Oberschlake, Mary Ann Oberschlake, Nancy Smith, Rose Smith, Wilma (Gerald) Clark, Pauline (Larry) Potter, Patti Cox, and Ruth Cox; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Joe and Russ, and Loretta’s siblings, David, Rex, Eula, and Sylvia.



The Oberschlake family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 7 from 4-6 pm at Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820. His funeral will be held Thursday at 11:00 am at Good Hope Lutheran Church, 129 W. Charles St., Bucyrus with Pastor Renee Ahern officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery with military rites by the US Army and American Legion Post 181 Honor Guards.



Memorial donations may be made payable to Good Hope Lutheran Church Stained Glass Window Restoration Fund and can be given through the funeral home. Memories and photos can be shared on Wendy’s Tribute Wall.