David "Dave" Leo Stechschulte

Columbus Grove, Ohio

David Leo Stechschulte, also known as Crunch, 82, died on Sunday March 21, 2021.  He was born on October 7, 1938, to Frank & Marguerite (Kiene) Stechschulte (deceased). 

On May 26, 1962 he married the love of his life Mary Lou (Schimmoeller) Stechschulte who survives in Columbus Grove.  They enjoyed many life adventures with their gang of friends but especially their fall trips to Holmes County. 

He is survived by three children, Carmen (Dave) Bremer, Craig (Micki) Stechschulte and Brent (Terri) Stechschulte, all residing in Columbus Grove.  They also have 10 grandchildren, Anna (Collin) Hensley, Kyle (Ashley) Stechschulte, Jacob (Amanda) Bremer, Rachael (Nick) Olinger, Allison (Samuel) Couchenour, Nicole (Chris) Martin, Micah (Austin) Lause, Samantha (Dylon) Lause, Aaron Bremer (Kylie Muter), Joy Stechschulte (Riley Larcom). They also have 3 great grandchildren, Evered, Adaline, and Theodore, and Elliana on the way.  He was one of Frank & Marguerite’s 13 children and is survived by four brothers, John (Betty) of Ottawa, Karl (Blanche), Joe, Jerry (Paula) Stechschulte all of Columbus Grove; two sisters, Mary (Wayne) Sutter of Mt. Horeb, WI and Jeanne Schulte of Ottawa; one brother in-law, Bill (Kathy) Eversole of Columbus Grove and two sisters in-law, Margaret Stechschulte of Columbus Grove and Ruth Ann Stechschulte of Ottawa.

He was preceded in death by five brothers, Robert (Agnes), Francis (Jean),  Maurice "Moe", Harry, and Patrick (Sharon); one sister, Marguerite "Nook" Eversole; one brother in-law, Ed Schulte and one sister in-law, Judy Stechschulte.

Dave was a humble man and rarely talked about his accomplishments, so his family is going to brag on him.  He was a graduate of Columbus Grove High School, class of 1956 and Ohio Northern University, class of 1961.  Dave was a member and Elder of the Church of the Good Shepherd.  He was an Electrical Engineer at Westinghouse Electrical System's Division.  Dave holds multiple patents for designs of power inverters that helped provide power to control modules on the Apollo space crafts, the Space Shuttle, and the International Space Station, as well as multiple military fighter jets.  Dave was one of the most respected electrical engineers in the business. His design of the Space Shuttle power inverters were free of failure, which is a rare occurrence for this type of system.  Few people outside of Westinghouse knew of the remarkable projects Dave had the privilege of working on.

He was a member of the "Think Tank", where the Elders of the community would gather to solve the world problems.

Dave was a huge Columbus Grove Bulldog fan, especially when one of his 10 grandchildren was participating.  Whether it was a band show, basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, art show or anything else involving his grandchildren.  He truly was their biggest fan.  You could always see Dave in the stands with a fist pump in the air for them.

Services will begin at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 25, 2021, at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Columbus Grove.  Pastor Keith Wilson will officiate with burial to follow in Truro West Cemetery, Columbus Grove.

Visitation will be from 2:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24, 2021, at Hartman Sons Funeral Home, Columbus Grove and from 10:00 - 11:00 am at the Church of the Good Shepherd prior to the service.

The family wants to thank the medical staff at St. Rita's Medical Center and their  Hospice Unit and Putnam County Home Health.  Your care and professionalism gave Dave many more days to enjoy his family.

Donations may be made to Church of the Good Shepherd, Putnam County Council on Aging or Putnam County Home Health.

With respect to wearing a mask and social distancing, due to the Covid-19 virus, the family understands that if you choose to stay home at this time, please take a moment and remember Dave, go online to hartmansonsfuneralhome.com, share a memory and/or your condolences.

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