Gerhard Edwin "Ed" Etzler
July 19, 1923 — May 5, 2008
84, of Van Wert, died Monday morning, May 5, 2008 at Van Wert County Hospital.
He was born July 19, 1923, in Convoy, to the late Christian Etzler Jr. and Justina Barbara Becker. On March 11, 1951, he married Marilyn H. Carlo. She survives in Van Wert.
Other survivors include daughters June (Neil) Bolenbaugh of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and Sally Habib of Kettering, Ohio; son Daniel E. (Kamie) Etzler of Hope Mills, North Carolina; sister-in-law Virginia Etzler of Van Wert, Ohio; brother-in-law Arthur (Jeannie) Bauer of Van Wert, Ohio; grandchildren Amy (Brad) Pausche of North Ridgeville, Ohio, Todd Bolenbaugh of Dublin, Ohio, Jon Habib of Xenia, Ohio, and Julie Etzler of Hope Mills, North Carolina; great-grandson Charlie Pausche of North Ridgeville, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by sisters Irma Etzler, Helena Weber, and Ruth Nofer; brothers Arthur Etzler, C. Erhard "Dutch" Etzler, and Wilhelm "Bill" Etzler; brothers-in-law Clarence Weber and Francis Nofer; and sisters-in-law Norma Etzler and Gloria Bauer.
A Navy veteran of World War II, he served from 1944-46 aboard APA 51 USS Sheridan, a troop transport/hospital ship. It participated in a number of invasions in the Pacific theatre and was stationed outside Tokyo Bay during the signing of the peace treaty with Japan. Ed received an honorable discharge as a Water Tender 3rd Class. He was an active member of American Legion Post 208 (Convoy, Ohio).
He was a farmer and factory worker, retiring from Aeroquip (Van Wert) in 1987 after 21 years of service. Ed was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Van Wert.
Ed was perhaps best known for creating and driving Etzler's Sheep Driving Teams, which featured eight Hampshire sheep pulling a wagon. Starting in 1976, he and his family entertained parade and festival audiences in 14 states. He retired in 2000 after 25 years. He was featured in magazines and on television for his unique teams.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 8, 2008, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Van Wert. The Rev. William Haggis II will officiate. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert, Ohio.
Calling hours are 2-4:30 and 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at Brickner Funeral Home, and one hour prior to service time Thursday at the church.
Preferred memorials are St. Mark's Lutheran Church or the American Heart Association.