John Benjamin Anspach

John B. Anspach, 87, of Fremont, Ohio passed away on Saturday, December 8, 2018. He was born on March 25, 1931 in Fremont to the late Walter E. and Anna R. Anspach. He was a 1950 graduate of Fremont Ross High School and attended The Ohio State University.

John married Betty J. LaPata on July 5, 1954 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Bellevue, Ohio. While in high school, he served on Student Council for his class and was All-Ohio and All-Buckeye in football. He played football in a guard position at Ohio State and often talked about being coached by Woody Hayes, Bo Schembechler, and Doyt Perry, who were all coaching at OSU at the time. He suffered a knee injury that shortened his football career at OSU, but he loved to tell the story of how Woody visited him at OSU Hospital. In the early1960s, he competed in Golden Gloves boxing in Toledo.

John worked for over 35 years for Ford Motor Company in Sandusky, Ohio, with most of those years serving as the elected Financial Secretary and Treasurer for Ford’s United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 1216. His favorite part about his career was all of the many co-workers he worked with and assisted through the years.

John’s true passions throughout his life were his family, his faith and fitness. A dedicated father and husband, he was truly deemed as the “rock” of the family. He will always be remembered for his kindness, positive attitude, sense of humor, and his ability to quickly connect with people. His children feel blessed to have had him for a father, and for the amazing childhoods they experienced because of him.

In retirement years, John and his wife enjoyed travelling to Europe, Hawaii, and Alaska, and they spent many winters in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They also enjoyed volunteering as Tour Guides for many years for Memorial Hospital’s Golden Threads’ Travel Program. A life-long member of St. Ann Catholic Church, when asked what he would want written in an obituary, John simply requested “for everyone to love one another and live in peace.”

John is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty Anspach of Fremont; and three children: John (Lorena) Anspach of Trussville, Alabama; Thomas (Nanette) Anspach of Corbin, Kentucky; and Lynn Eicher of Perrysburg, Ohio; ten grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; siblings Walter (Ruth) Anspach of Fremont; Lucy Dorfmeyer of Sylvania; and Norma Harrigan of Sandusky. He

was preceded in death by his parents; premature birth infant sons Joseph and Lon; grandson, Thomas Anspach II; and sisters Lucille Heid and Mary Ann Krauss.

Visitation will take place Wednesday, December 12, 2018 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with a vigil service beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Keller-Koch-Chudzinski Funeral Home, 416 Arch Street, Fremont. A Memorial Mass will be held Thursday, December 13, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Ann Catholic Church, 1021 W. State Street, Fremont. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Ann Catholic Church or to the American Heart Association.