Gary Francis Gwirtz
Gary Francis Gwirtz, age 41, of rural Crestline, died Wednesday,
January 16, 2008 at Med Central Shelby Hospital after a two and a half year battle with cancer.
He was born May 25, 1966 in Shelby and was a 1984 graduate of Crestline High School and Pioneer Joint Vocational School. Gary worked as a meat cutter at the family business, Gwirtz Market in Shelby. However, his first love was farming. He was an active member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Bethlehem, Shelby Settlement. Gary was a volunteer fireman at Tiro-Auburn Volunteer Fire Department. He had a good sense of humor and remained positive throughout his illness. Gary was a very caring person, always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need.
Gary is survived by his wife, Karen Ann (Horning) Gwirtz, whom he married on September 30, 1989; 2 sons, Evan Gwirtz and Heath Gwirtz both at home; his parents, James F. and Eileen C. (Rieman) Gwirtz of Crestline; 2 brothers and spouses, Mark and Tammy Gwirtz and Greg and Vera Gwirtz all of Crestline; a sister and spouse, Amy and Mike Stechshulte of Elida; nieces and nephews, Megan and Joshua Gwirtz, Logan, Caleb, and Abby Stechshulte, Joe, Jeannette, Juliann, Keira, Conner, and Keely Hook.
Friends may call on Sunday, January 20, 2008 from Noon-3 PM and
6-8 PM at the Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby where a wake service will be held at 8 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 21, 2008 at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Bethlehem with Father Nick Cunningham officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Memorial expressions may be made to Sacred Heart School or Tiro-Auburn Fire Department. The family would appreciate on-line condolences at
penwellturner.com
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Michelle Ebersole
Condolence:
karen, I am so sorry for your loss. You and the boys are in our prayers.
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Francis Griffeth, Pastor
Condolence:
My prayers and thoughts are with you at this time of grief and sorrow.
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Abbott/Eidt Family
Condolence:
Karen, Evan, Heath and all the family: Gary will be missed by so many people, but he is also now with Doug again!! You have our sincere sympathy. Take care of each other and remember all the good times you have had together. Memories are everything!!
Ian, Faith, Jill, Emily and Carson
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Val Kuenkele
Condolence:
Karen and boys,
I am so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. If there is anything I can do, please let me know. You are all in my prayers.
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Gwen
Condolence:
Gary was a very courageous man and I have been blessed and strengthened in knowing him. May God wrap you in His arms and may He bring you comfort.
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Sandy & Charlie Dicks (sister of Pat Teynor)
Condolence:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family with the loss of your loved one.
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Jennifer Ogilvie
Condolence:
To the Gwirtz family,
I am writing to express my heartfelt condolences. It was an honor and a privilege for me to meet and get to know Gary. In the short time I knew him it was clear that he was a man of great character and integrity. His strength and unfaltering dedication to his family and his work made a huge impression on me, and continues to inspire me. I know he will be greatly missed, and my thoughts are with you all.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Ogilvie, MD
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Denny and Pat (Rieman) Ellerbrock
Condolence:
WE are so very sorry for your loss. Please know that our prayers are with you at this time
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Kim Keyes
Condolence:
Karen –
I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. You and your boys are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless you all.
Kim Keyes
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Sandy Smith (Casteel)
Condolence:
Our thoughts and Prayers are with the Gwirtz family. I knew Gary in high school, He was always a quiet and good kid. May God be with you all in this time of sorrow.
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Gary Bonney
Condolence:
True sympathies from our family to yours The LORD has gained a wonderful young sheep and we will see him again Im greatful for young men like Gary he was always kind to me in the store and was brought up in a wonderful family and it showed May the LORD be with you in these times and trust in him
Gary Bonney and Family
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Cindie Fite
Condolence:
Dear Karen, Even I am at a loss for words today. Kerri and I are wintering in Florida and while reading the News Journal online, I saw that Gary had passed away. I guess we can question why these things happen all we want, but I believe we will find those answers someday. My heart aches for you and your boys. As you know, Gary will live on in your memories forever. Please know your friends all love you and will be pulling for you and praying for you. I have experienced the great power of prayer so many times during Kerri’s illnesses. May your deep faith comfort you in the days ahead. xo Cindie
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Mrs. Armstrong & Family
Condolence:
Our condolences to the Gwirtz family with your loss of Gary. We shopped at Gwirtz’s and he was alway so very kind and helpful and will be missed.
God’s blessings,
Mrs. Armstrong & Family
Crestline
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Paul & Maxine Thomas
Condolence:
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Paul & Maxine Thomas
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Tamara
Condolence:
Karen, Heath and Evan,
You all have been in my families prayers and still are. May God bring you peace and comfort through this difficult time. Braeden also continues to pray his sweet prayers for you and your boys.
The Pfeiffer’s
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Family_of: Karen Gwirtz
Your_Name: Krista Johnston
Condolence:
Well i dont really know the Gary i just know Heath. But in seeing how great of a person Heath is he must have been a really good dad.I just know that loseing a husband/dad is one of the hardest things. Coming to school thursday and hearing about him made me cry. I feel so bad for you and your family. I want you to know that i will support your family and i will make sure i pray for you and for Gary. I want you to stay strong. I am terribly sorry,Karen Heath Evan and family.
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Family_of: Karen Gwirtz
Your_Name: Natalie Sayre
Condolence:
Im sorry for your lose and hope that you no that were there for you. Im in deep sympathy for for you and i no its hard but now you no he’s in a great place and you dont have to worry any more. He was a great person and he was loved by many people. just to let you no im there for you.
In deepest sympathy Natalie
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Denny Davis
Condolence:
I am so sorry to learn of your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May the grace of God comfort and be with you in this time of mourning.
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Tresa Mathews
Condolence:
My deepest sympathy to the entire Gwirz family.
You have lost a very good guy. I waited on Gary many times
at Citizens bank. He was always nice, friendly and had a smile.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely
Tresa Mathews
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: The Del Greco Family
Condolence:
Deepest sympathy to your family. You will all remain in our prayers.
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Family_of: gary gwirtz
Your_Name: keith and pam lipscomb
Condolence:
we shop at gwirtz and they are all wonderful people our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Willard and Mary Osborne
Condolence:
To the Gwirtz Family,
Our deepest sympathy to the whole Gwirtz Family. We have shopped at the market for many years. We alway found Gary very nice and very helpful.
Our thoughts our with you at this very sad time.
Willard and Mary Osborne
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Jenny Massey
Condolence:
To Karen, Heath, Evan, and the entire Gwirtz family,
I am sorry to hear about your loss. I didn’t get a chance to know Gary well, but I do know he has helped raise two kind and considerate boys. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
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Family_of: gary gwirtz
Your_Name: williams family
Condolence:
We are very sorry for your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with your family.
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Keith & Deana Stechschulte and family
Condolence:
We are very sorry to hear about Gary’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with your entire family.
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Susie Cahill
Condolence:
Dear Karen, I’m so sorry to learn of your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.
Susie Cahill
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Rev. S. T. and Betty Adkins
Condolence:
To the entire Gwirtz Family,
We do not know Gary’s wife and children, but have shopped at the market frequently and have come to know his parents over the years. Seeing Gary there also. Our prayers are for God to be with you and give you strength during this difficult time.
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Steve & Vicki Grogg
Condolence:
Karen & family:
We would like to express our deepest sympathy to you all. Just letting you know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. God bless each and every one of you. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you.
Steve & Vicki
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Family_of: Heath, Karen, Evan, and Family
Condolence:
First to Heath and Evan. I don’t know what it is like to lose a Dad, but i want you to know that were all praying for him, and thinking of you. And Karen I might not have known Gary but I knew Heath and Evan and they were both very nice, so Gary must have been a great Dad and Husband. Were all praying for you and your family. So I hope you get through it all right
Sincerly
Daniel Looney.
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Family_of: GARY GWIRTZ
Your_Name: LINDA STENTZ
Condolence:
I WANTED TO EXPRESS MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY ON THE LOSS OF GARY . I DIDN’T KNOW HIM WELL, ONLY FROM THE STORE . HE WAS ALWAYS SO PLEASANT. HE WILL BE MISSED . MY PRAYERS ARE WITH THE WHOLE FAMILY. I KNOW HIS PARENTS AND MARK . TO HIS WIFE MAY GOD BE WITH YOU AS YOU RAISE THESE SPECIAL BOYS . I HAVE 2 FRIENDS WHO ALSO LOST THERE HUSBANDS TO CANCER THIS PAST YEAR AND ARE RAISING THEM WITH THE HELP OF THE LORD.
MAY GOD GIVE THE WHOLE FAMILY COMFORT.
LINDA STENTZ
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Becky & Kevin Rall and girls
Condolence:
Karen, Evan & Heath
Unfortunately, we know what it is like to lose someone you love so deeply. The comfort we can find is that they rest in Heaven with God now. No more pain or suffering, only happiness and joy. I’m sure Gary and Dad are up there right now, cracking jokes and playing tricks on people. Please know that you have all been in our prayers through out Gary’s illness and will continue to be in our prayers. May God give you all the strength to carry on and know that even though Gary may not be with you physically, he will ALWAYS be in your hearts and watching over you.
Becky & Kevin
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Tom Adams
Condolence:
Karen and boys,
My sympathy to all of you on the loss of Gary. He was a very polite and likable young man and will be missed by all who knew him. I will miss his smile and good nature.
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Family_of: Gary
Your_Name: Tom and Judy Zehner and family
Condolence:
It is always hard to express how one feels at such a time like this. Gary was such a good son, father, and friend to all who know him and leaves us with his smile and so many good memories. He has gone to a much better place. Each of us will hold that memory of him in many different ways.
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Bryan & Keely Kreinbrink
Condolence:
Karen and boys,
You are in our thoughts and prayers at this hard time. You have our deepest sympathy. We hope you find peace in your heart at this time.
Bryan and Keely Kreinbrink
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Rita Rieman family
Condolence:
We would like you and your family to know how very sorry we are for your loss. our prayers are with you at this time.
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Randy & Jan Pry & Family
Condolence:
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Gary always seemed to think of others,and not himself.He always had a smile, even when you know he wasn’t feeling that great. He will truly be missed.
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Tonya & Chris Fike
Condolence:
I don’t have words that will take away your grief, but I want you to know that we care. Jim, Eileen, Karen you and Gary have been a great witness to your family, take comfort in your memories and may God give you peace. Our prayers are with you.
Tonya & Chris Fike
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Beth Leppo
Condolence:
Karen, Evan and Heath- It was very apparent at calling hours yesterday how much Gary meant to anyonw who ever knew him. Take comfprt in knowing that he now is at peace with God. He will be dearly missed but his memories live on. Praying for you all in this difficult time.
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Barb Bogner
Condolence:
Dear Karen and boys, May knowing others care help you through this troubled time. You’re in every thought, every hope, and every prayer. The Lord be with you. Know that God’s infinite love is with you in this time of loss.
With loving sympathy, Barb (Beth’s Mom) *******************************************************************************
Family_of: Karen, Heath, & Even
Your_Name: Jenny Holt
Condolence:
I did not get a chance to know Gary well, but it is clear that he was a wonderful man and will be missed by many. My heart goes out to your family. You will all be in my prayers and thoughts.
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Joyce Giaconelli
Condolence:
Karen, Please know I am praying for you and the boys during this difficult time. I know your faith will help you and the support from all the warm people at work will surround you with love.
Remember, just take baby steps till you are ready to face the world. xo Joyce
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Family_of: Gary Gwirtz
Your_Name: Jennifer K. Beebe
Condolence:
Karen, you have been so strong and faithful during the last 2 1/2 years. I am sure it was love that kept you going and believing in a brighter tomorrow. Love for your husband, your boys and our God. And that love will always continue on…it never ends…May your heart fill with joy when you see Gary’s smile on your sons faces and that same twinkle in thier eyes that Gary had and when the three of you share memories of happy times together…may you be able to laugh and cry together if you need to. I’m praying for you, just as so many others are too here at MedCentral Mansfield Hospital switchboard.
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Family_of:
Your_Name: Randy & Debbie Ramey
Condolence:
Our Prayers and thoughts are with you in this loss of your loved one. May Gods peace and comfort see you through. May joy of life continue with you also.