Walter Eberly Wellstead

Walter Eberly Wellstead, 92, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2017, at the Manor at Perrysburg surrounded by loving members of his family. Walter, a native of Perrysburg, was born Aug. 7, 1925 to Carl Frederick Wellstead and Cyrille Eberly Wellstead. He graduated from Perrysburg High School in 1943. Walter served in the Navy during WWII. He entered on June 26, 1944. Following recruitment training, he attended the University of Wisconsin for radio communication. Walter was on the USS Whitney. He was discharged July 2, 1946. One of the war stories dad shares was why his discharge date was delayed. They were traveling up the Yangtze River, to deliver the ship to China, when it was struck by another ship. During the repair period, it caught on fire. “That ship never made it to China.” Walter graduated from BGSU in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He was a member of the Kappa Mu Epsilon, a mathematics fraternity. He was the second generation to graduate; his mother preceded him in 1918. Walter married the love of his life, Lucille Snyder on October 2, 1954. The romance was still strong after 48 years of marriage. Walter and Lucille had seven children. Providing for his sizable family, Walter worked at the Sun Oil Refining Company as an estimating cost engineer and retired after 37 years in 1987. He co-founded the Sun Oil Credit Union, “Started with only a shoe box.” Walter was a lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church. Besides taking all seven of his children to church every Sunday, giving Lucille a small break, he ushered regularly. He also was a member of the American Legion Post #28 for over seven decades. Walter enjoyed playing tennis, pool, collecting stamps and coins, his annual garden, wood working, antiques, and yearly family summer vacations - always visiting national and historical sites. His travels continued with Lucy throughout the states, and he accomplished his goal of attending a football game in each stadium of the Big Ten. After retirement, Walt and Lucy spent the winter months in Bradenton, Florida, staying longer each year, but always returning home with a travel gift for each of their children and grandchildren. Walter is survived by his seven children Robin S. (Bruce) Malone, Karen L. Wellstead, Mary Beth (Richard) Gilts, Pamela L. (Joel) Rogers, Paula L. Davis, Walter E. Wellstead Jr., Robert J. (Julie) Wellstead; and brother-in-law Rudi (Janet) deWinter of New York. Walter was preceded in death by his wife Lucille; brother Frederick Wellstead; sister-in-law Marjorie Wellstead; sister Lydelia deWinter; grandson Jaryd Wellstead Gilts and son-in-law James Davis. His children are grateful for his endless support, love, sense of humor and quick wit. He will always be a part of us; he instilled in each of us honesty, sincerity and compassion. There are three outstanding agencies that we are forever thankful for, who helped us as Dad’s Alzheimer’s progressed. Comfort Keepers: especially “our two angels,” Deb Henry and Nana Yeboah. Hospice of Northwest Ohio: the comfort and peace of mind they brought was priceless – Kathy Gerace, Nicole Jankowski, and Susan Smith. Manor at Perrysburg: your compassion and care was amazing – Charlie, Michelle, Helen, Deann, Adella, Rosa, Megan, Destiny and entire floor staff. Friends and family will be received at Witzler-Shank Funeral Home 222 E. S. Boundary St. Perrysburg, OH 43551 (419-874-3133) on Thursday, October 12, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Friday October 13, 2017 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church 200 E. 2nd St. Perrysburg, OH 43551 with the funeral service to begin at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Fort Meigs Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Hospice of Northwest Ohio 30000 E. River Road Perrysburg, OH 43551 (hospicenwo.org); Search For The Truth Ministries, 3275 E. Monroe Road Midland, MI 48642 (www.searchforthetruth.net); Jaryd Wellstead Gilts Scholarship Fund, Toledo Community Foundation 300 Madison Ave. Suite 1300 Toledo, OH. 43604.