Walter Roy Thiel

Walter Roy Thiel Sr., age 86, passed away peacefully at his home at Wesley Ridge Retirement Center in Reynoldsburg, Ohio on July 28, 2016. Walt was born July 6, 1930 in Brooklyn, New York and was a graduate of Gorton High School, Yonkers, NY. He was a proud U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, having served in the Korean War, and cherished the opportunity to participate in an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. with his son Tiger serving as his guardian.

Walt married the love of his life, Grace Van Tassel Robertson, on April 30, 1955. They came to Ohio in 1966 and settled in Blacklick (Jefferson Twp.) where they raised their children and established their life together. Walt had a strong work ethic and was a wonderful provider. He worked for nearly 38 years as an electrical engineer (affectionately known as the “Telephone Doctor”), before retiring from Lucent Technologies.

Walt, along with other members of Good Samaritan Church, purchased the Tornes Barn located on Clotts Rd. for $1, and proceeded to deconstruct and then reconstruct the entire barn into what became the Good Samaritan Barn Church. He was also a member of Shepherd Church of the Nazarene. Walt, along with his good friend Jan Elzey, traveled to many foreign countries to construct churches. In addition, he was very devoted to helping with deconstruction for the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store.

Walt will be remembered as an accomplished painter, a master woodworker, a helping hand to anyone in need, a beloved husband, dad, pop-pop and friend. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Winifred “Winnie” Van Den Berg in 1999; his parents, Andreas and Clarinda (Vredenberg) Thiel; brothers, Andreas and George Thiel and sister, Alice Montemuro. He will be forever remembered by his devoted wife of 61 years, Grace Thiel; daughter Doris (Paul) Simonsen of Dallas, TX; son Walter Jr. “Tiger” (Cyndi) Thiel of Dublin, OH; son-in-law, David (Debbie) Van Den Berg; grandchildren David “D.R.” Van Den Berg, Jacqueline (Corbin) Brandson, Michael and Joshua Simonson, Mackenzie, Charley and Madison Thiel and Jacob Van Den Berg; great-granddaughters, Kaylynn Thiel and Stella Grace Brandson; sisters Jean Breska, Ruth (Sidney) Gitter and Eva Mae (Walter) Salvatore; brothers-in-law William (Roseann) Robertson of Yonkers, NY and Harold (Jan) Robertson of Dallas, TX; numerous nieces, nephews and very special friends.

Family will welcome friends 5-8pm Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at Schoedinger Northeast Chapel, 1051 E. Johnstown Rd. (at Beecher Rd.), Gahanna, OH 43230. Funeral Service will be held at 11am Wednesday, August 3, 2016 in the Kimes Chapel at Wesley Ridge Retirement Community, 2225 Taylor Park, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068 with additional visiting from 10-11am; interment to follow in Headley Cemetery; Celebrant Andrew Hoover and Pastor Tim Swanson will be presiding over services.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Methodist ElderCare, in care of Wesley Ridge Retirement Community. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share memories or extend condolences to Walter’s family.