Lawrence Edward Hoelzle

Eldest of the Hoelzle "honyocks" of Fremont, Ohio, Lawrence (Larry) Hoelzle, passed away on November 30, 2022. Born June 10, 1949 to Donald and Dorothy Hoelzle of Fremont, Larry spent his childhood delivering newspapers, raising heck in the single bedroom he shared with his five brothers, and developing his lifelong passion for fixing cars.

Larry attended St. Joseph Catholic High School in Fremont, where he played football and met his future bride, Judy Cimini. After graduation he went to the University of Toledo, where he earned a degree in education. He spent his career teaching auto mechanics and woodworking at vocational schools. On an adventurous streak, he and Judy also taught in Australia for two years.

After returning to the US, Larry bought a cabin in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where he and Judy lived for nine years. They then moved to Cass City, Michigan, where they lived for 30 years in a Larry-fixer-upper farmhouse on Green Road.

In retirement, Judy convinced Larry to move to Toledo, Ohio, to be closer to the grandchildren. Larry responded by buying his beloved "shack" in Caseville, Michigan, where he could tinker to his heart's delight. He spent much of his later years shuttling between Toledo and the shack, often wearing his trademark denim bib overalls.

Larry loved the cold and carefully guarded the thermostat, making sure it never got above a balmy 65 degrees. He loved riding his motorcycle and taking trips with his brothers and sister. He was a beloved "Grumpa" to his nine grandchildren, who learned many lessons at his side, including how to build your own outside toilet and how to use a nail gun.

He loved to cook and was never happier than when he was picking the meat off a turkey carcass to make soup. As he always said, "There are many ways to do things, and then there's the Larry way."

Larry's social quirks brought much joy to the family over the years. Master of the abrupt exit, he once left a family wedding in the middle of dinner, declaring, "Well, I've got things to do and I'm gonna go do them."

Larry had a strong faith in God, and he frequently attended church (both in person and online so he didn't have to interact with anyone) and read devotional books, often in the bathroom.

But Larry's greatest legacy is his kindness and generosity, which he bestowed on family, friends, and strangers alike. He loved to bring people large amounts of food and if you ever called him for help, he would get on the road and be there.

He is preceded in death by his parents (Donald and Dorothy Hoelzle), brothers (David and John),and sister-in-law Charlotte Hoelzle. He is survived by his wife Judy, son Eric (Gabby) Hoelzle, daughter Rose (Josh) Lounsbury, daughter Johanna Hoelzle (Kevin Zink), and son Paul (Rosanna) Hoelzle, ten grandchildren, sister Anne Barger, brother Paul Hoelzle, brother Ed (Debi) Hoelzle, brother Tom (Tina) Hoelzle, brother Steve (Vicki) Hoelzle, and sister-in-law Linda Stricker. 

In lieu of flowers, please go to an online auction and buy yourself an old lamp or chair that needs fixing. Larry would approve. Or donate to a charity of your choice.

Visitation for Larry will be held from Monday, December 5, 2022 from 10:00am until the time of her funeral service at 12:00 pm at Hanneman-Keller Funeral Home 416 South Arch Street, Fremont Ohio. Internment will immediately following at St. Joseph Cemetery Fremont Ohio. For those unable to attend in person, the service will stream live via the Hanneman-Keller Facebook page starting at 12:00 noon. 

Hanneman Funeral Homes is honored to serve Larry's family and encourage those to share a fond memory or condolence by visiting www.hannemanfuneralhomes.com.



 

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