Howard A. Stritzel

Howard A. Stritzel, age 59 of Columbia Station passed away Friday November 22, 2019 in the University Hospitals Elyria Regional Medical Center following a courageous battle with cancer with his eldest sister at his side. He was born January 15,1960 in Berea, Ohio and spent his entire life living on the family farm in Eaton Twp which his grandparents Stritzel purchased in 1938. Though he had two sisters living out of state for many years he never traveled outside the state. Howard was a second generation self employed farmer who made his living entirely off the land, as did his Dad. He milked cows twice a day for 37 years along with farming the land for crops and just a few years ago due to surgery had sold out of the dairy business and decided to raise Holsteiin calves from babies to two year olds,, old enough to become mothers and to be sold to another dairy. He raised corn, soybeans and wheat along with hay fields making the huge round bales and hauling them to Wooster and Kidron auctions where other farmers would make the winning bid and then he delivered the hay to their farms. He treasured the friendship of these customers. He was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Grafton and loved his job as an usher. He enjoyed going to county fairs in the summer. the little free time he had at the end of the day he spent eating a bowl of ice cream ( before the cancer ) and reading farm related newspapers and magazines and watching old westerns and classic comedies on TV. Howard will be very much missed by his family, friends, hay customers, current dairy heifer herd and the barn cats that sat on his lap to get warm in the winter Survivors include his loving sisters Marie of Columbia Station ( formerly of Houston, Tx) and Linda of aurora, CO, an uncle and many cousins and extended family members living across the USA and Canada. He was preceded in death by his parents Howard G. & Irene D. Stritzel , stillborn sister in 1953, brother Thomas in 1961 and by grandparents Vincent & Bertha Rumph and Andrew & Regina Stritzel. Please join us as we celebrate Howard's life in the Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church 708 Erie St. on Friday December 6, 2019 from 9 AM until time of a memorial mass at 11 AM with Father John Seabold, Pastor, officiating. The family wishes to thank Dr. Pierre Lavertu, Dr. Shawn Li, Dr.Roger Ove, Dr. Belagodu Kantharaj and their staff in the hospital as well as the office for the wonderful care and support Howard received in his fight against cancer. Thank You to Dr. Salvatore Esposito who was in the process of making Howard a prosthesis which would help him to speak and eat. Also thank you to the Eaton Twp Rescue Squad for their fast response towards the end when Howard needed emergency help. A thank you to the EMH emergency room for their help as well as the staff of the SICU department. We are so much appreciate all the love and support from friends and strangers as we traveled this difficult road. May the Spirit you believe in guide you and love you. Arrangements were handled by the Duke Funeral Home 1021 Main St. Grafton. On-line condolences may be left at www.dukefuneralhome.com. Further arrangements will be announced.

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