Eugene "Gene" Urban Stechschulte, age 84, passed away at The Meadows of Kalida August 13, 2015, surrounded by his loving family and his devoted wife of 60 years, Mary Jane.

Gene, born April 24, 1931, in Kalida, Ohio, was the son of William and Laura (Leopold) Stechschulte. He attended Kalida High School and married Mary Jane Quinn April 14, 1955, at Saint John's Catholic Church in Glandorf, Ohio.

Gene, a Korean War veteran, served as a medic in the 112th Medical Battalion of the 37th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. While in the Army, he played baseball for the Army AAA Flaks in Germany.

Gene was a farmer, and he worked for Scot Lad Foods in Lima, Ohio, for 34 years before retiring in 1992.

Gene is survived by his wife, Mary Jane (Quinn) Stechschulte, his sister, Mary Ellerbrock, his brother-in law, Orville Ellerbrock, and two sisters-in-law, Irene and Evonne Stechschulte. He is also survived by his children Lynn (Mark) Czubik, Dave (Mandy) Stechschulte, Mark Stechschulte, Lori (Ron) Erhart, Michele (Brian) Doepker, Leslie Stechschulte, and Gene (Krista) Stechschulte; his grandchildren Craig (Ann) Czubik, Cristin (Blake) Allen, Tara (Brian) Verhoff, Wes Czubik, Hannah Stechschulte, Mary Stechschulte, Greg Stechschulte, Lauren Erhart, Megan (Austin) Roebke, Ryan Erhart, Brandon Erhart, Colin Erhart, Jessica Doepker, Mariah Doepker, Kelly Doepker, Keith Doepker, Ben Doepker, Laura Doepker, Andrew Stechschulte, Katelyn Stechschulte, and Ava Stechschulte; and his great-grandchildren Landon, Gavin, and Nolan Verhoff, Gracie and Camden Czubik, Keelyn and Quinley Allen, and two more on the way.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Bob, Jerome, Wid, Jim, Sr. Laura, and Evangeline Potts.

Gene was a devout Catholic who enjoyed serving as an usher, attending daily Mass, and saying the rosary. He was committed to the St. Michael's Holy Name Society and was known by all for his dedication to selling Holy Name raffle tickets.

Gene was a Knight of Columbus, and he served as greeter at many Knights of Columbus fish dinners. Gene also was a member of the American Legion, and he coached Ottawa American Legion Post 63 baseball teams for seven years (leading four of those teams to the state tournament). In addition, Gene served as a foster father to over 100 children and the president of Right to Life of Putnam County.

Gene's love for the Detroit Tigers, the Detroit Lions, and Notre Dame Football was only surpassed by his devotion to Kalida athletics. As the coach of many, many baseball, basketball, and soccer teams in Kalida, Gene gently and lovingly supported and encouraged children using positive reinforcement.

Gene Stechschulte was a gentle soul for whom strangers soon became friends. His warm smile and friendly wave will be greatly missed. He was a dandy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 15, 2015 at Saint Michael's Catholic Church, Kalida with Fr. Mark Hoying, Fr. Barry Stechschulte, and Fr. Elmer Wurth officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. on Friday and one hour prior to the mass on Saturday at Love Funeral Home, Ottawa.

Gene's family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff of Saint Rita's Medical Center and The Meadows of Kalida for the beautiful care they provided.

Memorial contributions may be made to Right to Life of Putnam County or Saint Michael's Catholic Church.

Condolences can be expressed at: www.lovefuneralhome.com.