Dennis Eugene Distel, age 59 of N. TR 165, Tiffin, Ohio died unexpectedly at 11:54 am Wednesday, December 10, 2008, in the Emergency Room of Fostoria Community Hospital, Fostoria, Ohio.
He was born to Eugene Louis and Clara Louise (Cramer) Distel on January 19, 1949 in Tiffin. His father is deceased and his mother survives in Tiffin. On November 28, 1998, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, he married Carol Sue Huss, and she survives.
Other survivors include two daughters, Nicole M. (Neil) Curtis of Harrisonburg, VA; Daniele A. (Adrian) Massey of Vilseck, Germany; two grandchildren, Anaya Massey and Nathaniel Curtis; three brothers, David (Barbara) Distel of Findlay, Dean (Cindy) Distel of Tiffin, Jack (Anne) Distel of Tiffin; and one sister, Jean (Dennis) Dom of Tiffin.
Dennis was a 1967 Calvert High School graduate and received an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration in 1969 and a Bachelor of Commercial Science Degree with a major in Business Managements in 1978 from Tiffin University. He served in the United States Air Force from 1970 – 1973 as an air traffic controller rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Dennis worked at the Fostoria Distribution Center as a Coordinator for Church and Dwight Co., Inc. of Old Fort. He had previously been an employee of the National Machinery, in Tiffin for over 25 years. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Francis CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), and the Seneca County Historical Society. He volunteered at the Ritz Theatre as an usher and greeter and at St. Joseph Parish, working as a substitute usher and at the school festival.
Dennis was a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather. All who had the good fortune to have known him and loved Dennis were certainly blessed for having him in their lives. He would always lend a helping hand to family and friends. He also uplifted all who met him, either personally or professionally. He was a friendly, generous, and compassionate person.
Dennis enjoyed flower gardening, landscaping, and yard work. He also liked to travel many places with Carol in the United States and was looking forward to going to Germany in the spring to visit his daughter, Daniele and her family. He enjoyed going to the annual October Huss family cabin weekend to visit Nicole, Neil and his new grandson in Virginia.
Visitation will be from 1-4 & 6-8 pm Sunday, December 14, 2008 at Traunero Funeral Home, 214 S. Monroe Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883 (419) 447-3113. There will be a wake service at 12:45 PM on Sunday at the funeral home.
The Mass will be officiated by Rev. Joseph Szybka at 10am Monday, December 15, 2008 in St. Joseph Catholic Church. The rosary will be recited 15 minutes prior to the Mass at the church. Burial will take place immediately following in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. The United Veterans Council of Seneca County will perform military honors at the gravesite.
Contributions may be made to the Calvert Catholic Schools, the St. Joseph Parish Maintenance Fund, the Seneca Co. Humane Society, or the Ritz Theatre in care of Traunero Funeral Home.
Click on the picture below to view the Celebration of Life video.