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Cletus Martin Schumacher passed peacefully on October 11, 2021 at the Schumacher home place in rural Columbus Grove where he lived out all his days. He was born there on April 14, 1928 to Joseph and Veronica (Martin) Schumacher. They both preceded him in death.
On August 21, 1953, he married the loving and caring Betty Lou Ramsey, who survives near Vaughnsville.
Martin raised his children with a quiet steady hand that resulted in a close-knit family. His daughters survive him: Joyce (Sid) Case of Beaverton Michigan, Denise (Dana Davis) Schumacher of Cincinnati, Joni (Edward) Schroeder of Columbus Grove, and daughter-in-law Nancy (Mark) Schumacher-Chow of Athens. eight grandchildren Sidney (Megan) Case of East Lansing, MI, Ryan (Tara) Case of Metamora, MI, Jayme (Chas Albright) Schumacher of Columbus, Jennifer (Brett Poydence) Schumacher of Chicago, IL, Deborah (Brady) Brennan of Columbus, Molly Chow of Atlanta, GA, Brice Schroeder of Columbus, Parker (Naomi) Schroeder of Juneau, AL; seven great grandchildren; three sister-in- laws Bonnie Schumacher, Shirley Johnston & Helen Lewis.
Martin was the youngest of nine children, preceded in death by four brothers: Gilbert, Norbert, Vincent, and Alvin Schumacher and four sisters: Alberta Goudy, Salome "Sally" Ladden, Donelda Smith and Margaret Smith. He was preceded by the death of his only son Jeff Schumacher in 1989 and grandson Nicholas Schroeder in 2016.
Martin was a graduate and proud alumnus of Vaughnsville High School, class of 1946. He was a U.S. Army veteran serving 18 months in Korea returning home in 1952. He was a member of the American Legion Post 516 and the VFW Post 9648, Columbus Grove.
Both Martin and his brother Alvie began helping on the farm in earnest when their father passed away in 1940, and worked together as business partners until he turned things over to his son Jeff who also worked the ground on what is now an Ohio Century family farm in Putnam County. Martin was a member of the Sugar Creek Farm Bureau.
Martin spent 42 years working on the railroad, beginning with what was once the B&O, then Chessie System, and now CSX. He made runs 7 days a week on call 24 hours a day primarily from Lima to Toledo or Willard, Ohio. His role was that of a Conductor on the freight trains, and you could see him wave from the caboose when the train would pass through Columbus Grove. He loved to get together at the monthly breakfast with his fellow RR retirees.
Martin had a love of community; he was a member of the Vaughnsville Community Church and served as President of the Vaughnsville Community Center when it first opened. He was a supporter of Crime Victim Services, and helped himself and others heal through his involvement with Parents of Murdered Children and Compassionate Friends.
He enjoyed square dancing western swing with his wife Betty, and became an avid knife collector over the years. However, he spent his vacation time doing what he loved, camping and water skiing. A friend taught him how to ski on the Defiance River and he turned that experience into a lifetime of memories for himself and his entire family. Spending over 65 years of summers at Crooked Lake and teaching family, friends, and anyone willing to try how to ski. He was masterful on the trick skis turning around on one or two, he notably turned around 75 times to celebrate his 75th birthday before he dropped the ski handle into the water for the last time.
He and Betty spent many wonderful years in retirement including winters in Lake Panasoffkee, FL together with his brother, Betty’s siblings, and all the spouses. Many good times were had in the sunshine fishing and enjoying time with friends.
Martin is now safe in the hands of his Lord; “Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee, how great thou art!”
Services will begin at 1:00 p.m., on Thursday, October 14, 2021, at Hartman Sons Funeral Home, Columbus Grove, where Pastor Tom Brown will officiate. Burial will follow in Truro Cemetery, Columbus Grove, where military rites will be conducted by the combined Color Guard of the Columbus Grove American Legion and VFW.
Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., prior to the service on Thursday at Hartman Sons Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jeffrey B. Schumacher Memorial Fund at Crime Victim Services of Putnam County or the Vaughnsville Community Church.
Please take a moment and remember Martin, go online to hartmansonsfuneralhome.com, share a memory and/or your condolences .
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