Mark Louis Rietschlin
Mark Louis Rietschlin passed away on Sunday morning, July 28, 2024 and left behind a family whom he loved and who dearly loved him. He was 82.
He was born on October 4, 1941, in Shelby, Ohio, to the late Louis and Nellie (née Mitten) Rietschlin and was the youngest child in a large, German-Catholic farming family.
Mark was a devout Catholic, lived in Shelby Settlement, and attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church his entire life. Both his childhood home and the one he built with his wife had a view of the Church’s steeple.
He graduated from Shelby High School in 1959, and joined the Marine Corps, serving his country for six years in the reserves.
In 1970, Mark married Lucy (née Metzger), and they celebrated 50 years together before Lucy’s passing in 2021. They were a beautiful example of the sacrament of marriage, remaining devoted to each other even until the very end, when Mark took commendable care of his wife.
They raised six children, including two sets of twins. Astonishment was usually the reaction, and Mark would reply, “Yep. I’m quite the specimen.” He was a traditionalist, putting faith and family first. While Lucy managed the home and the bulk of the childrearing, Mark provided his children with wisdom and guidance, especially during difficult times. He and Lucy were exceptionally proud of their six kids for many reasons but particularly that all six received a higher education after high school and that none of them spent time in jail.
He loved his eleven grandchildren and thoroughly enjoyed watching them excel in school and sports.
Mark was very hardworking, always having two full-time jobs. He spent 46 years at the Tuby as a welder and running his grain farm. He took great pride in being a generational farmer, sharing his passion with his three sons.
Mark will forever be remembered as quick-witted, even-tempered, generous, and seeing things in black or white, particularly moral issues. He was a man’s man – he worked with his hands, took care of his family, collected guns and pocketknives, played cards, watched sports- especially Notre Dame, chewed tobacco, and drank beer. There was nothing he relished more than drinking beer in his barn with family, friends, and even strangers – all were welcome.
He leaves behind his children: Sam (Angela) Rietschlin of Crestline, Heidi Rietschlin of Mansfield, Andy (Paula) Rietschlin of Shelby, Heather (Ron) Shepherd of Shelby, Carrie (Michael) Kemerer of Crestline, and Jake (Jessica) Rietschlin of Shelby; 11 grandchildren: Luke, Marshall, Nathan, Grace, Elizabeth, Michael, Louie, Karen, Veronica, Jude, and Charlie; brother-in-law: Jim (Janice) Metzger; sisters-in-law: Alice Metzger and Pat Metzger; close friends: Rosemary Sutter, Robert Biglin, and Jeremiah Hamons; and numerous nieces and nephews including Luke and Tom Rietschlin.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucy, his parents, two brothers: Robert and Joseph; and two sisters: Ruth Kehres and Rosemary Kanney.
The Rietschlin Family would like to thank everyone for their support, prayers, and kindness; especially those who provided Mark direct care the past few years: Cheryl Norwood, and the Willows of Willard.
Family and friends are welcome on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 from 4-7 pm at the Penwell Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, where a rosary will be recited at 7 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 10:30 am at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Bethlehem, Shelby Settlement. A rosary will also be recited before the funeral mass at 10:15 am. Fr. Jeff Smith will celebrate the Mass with Msgr. Dennis Metzger concelebrating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery beside his beloved wife, Lucy. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to the Sacred Heart School, Shelby.
Condolences may be made on Mark’s obituary on the funeral home’s website (PenwellTurner.com) or their Facebook page (Facebook.com/PenwellFuneral).
So sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Mr. Rietschlin was one of a kind. He and Lucy always welcomed their kids friends into their home. I was fortunate to be one of those friends. I have many great memories of time spent at the house and great conversations. My sincere condolences to the family and prayers for peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Very sorry for your loss. The tribute that was written was beautiful! What a wonderful and full life he led. His legacy lives on in the lives of his children and grandchildren. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers!
To the whole Rietschlin keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. What a legacy to leave to you all, a beautiful blessing. Hold those cherished memories close to your hearts.
Sam and Heidi, Andy, Heather, Jake and Carrie –
Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of your dad. His obituary described your dad perfectly. He really was unique in so many ways. He enjoyed people stopping in to chat. Your dad and I enjoyed many conversations, mostly political in nature. Even though our views were clearly different, we had a mutual respect. I will miss him. He was a very special person. May he now rest in peace.
Please accept our sincere sympathy. He was quite a man & his qualities are evident in his children & grandchildren. Hugs & love to you all.
To the Rietschlin Family,
Please accept our sympathies and prayers for the passing of Mark.
The Ron Nelson Family
Our sincere sympathy for your loss! What a great life he lived, Prayers for your entire family!
Our condolences to the family of my cousin Mark. I did not know him well but it is obvious he lived an exempliary life. Our sympathies to his family. Bob and Carol Mitten
My deepest condolences.
Marks family
So sorry for thel loss of your Dad! He is with your Mother!!
I will miss him, Andy and the girls here at Willows stopping and
To talk to talk to me!!
Andy and family Sandy and I are so sorry for your loss! After reading about your dad he was really a great man. God Bless you all, Love You all!
What an uncle! We always got our kicks out of him…❤️
. He had a way of talking, a beloved drawl, that we’ll never ever forget! And many words of wisdom…. That was a well-written obituary that described Uncle Bemus so well…
Our thoughts, prayers & hearts go out to each of you kids, in-laws & grandkids❤️
God Bless, Diane, Tom, & family
Sorry for your lost prayers are with you all mark and Lucy were great neighbor
Mike and Carrie, please accept my condolences for your families loss. May the many memories you have of your father provide some comfort to all of you
Sam, Heidi, Andy, Heather, Jacob & Carrie- I’m so sorry for the passing of your Dad. My thoughts and prayers go out for you, and your families.
So sorry for your loss. My “John” and Bemus were very good friends. They can talk about all their good times now in heaven. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Deepest sympathy, John W. Berger family
What a great guy. I enjoyed working with Mark for many, many years at the Tuby. Always had a smile and story to share, Thru Mark, I was fortunate enough to meet Lucy and all the kids, and what a joy you all are. He was very proud of all of you. I wish you all, Love and Peace. I hope Mark gets to see Pee Wee Hoover up there in Heaven so they can continue their lifelong antics!
I’m gonna miss you Mark. Godspeed
Uncle Mark was always a man of character and a character of a man. It was a blessing to grow up knowing him. Sending warmest thoughts and prayers to Mark’s family… there have been many great times and memories with all of you too.
Mark was truly a great man. I knew Mark from playing ball with him many years ago. I am truly sorry to hear of his passing. my thoughts are with the family.
To the Rietschlin family;
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
So sorry that Debbie and I cannot be there this week but you know that it doesn’t matter if our prayers come from the Settlement or from Tennessee. Mark was always fun to be with and also a great role model. I’ll never forget how I spent 2 hours with him at Johnny’s Lunch one afternoon and then found out at church the next morning that he and Lucy had gotten married that night. What a great guy!
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you
We just heard of Mark’s crossing over. We have lots of good memories of him. He was a wonderful man and will be missed by many. There is a star in the Heavens that shines much brighter than before. That is Mark looking down on us.