Victor S. Stelzer

Victor S. Stelzer passed away peacefully at The Toledo Hospital on Good Friday night, April 22, 2011 following a brief illness. He was 94 yrs old and enjoyed a healthy independent life until the end. He was born on Aug 12 1916 in Alexandria, Indiana to Alexander Stelzer and Vera Gloski. He grew up on Elm St. and graduated Woodward High School in 1934. He married Isabelle Trabbic on Sept. 28, 1940, and they enjoyed 69 yrs. of marriage until her death in Dec. 2009. Vic served in the US Army in WWII as Technical Sergeant for the 202nd Combat Engineers. He served with General Patton and saw action in the Invasion of Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. He received the Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 5 Bronze Stars. He attended U.T. and received his diploma from the Industrial Training Institute of Chicago. Vic never saw something he couldn't fix??"he did it all. He worked at Continental Coffee Co. as plant Supervisor for 29 yrs. Vic took early retirement when the company moved to Houston, but he never stopped working. He helped out his son in law at all of his businesses. He painted and wall papered for family friends and Carriage House East Apartments. He belonged to Alhambra, Knights of Columbus and St. Pius X Church, where he ushered up until last year. Victor's greatest joy in life was his family. He was blessed with five grandchildren, whose lives were enriched beyond measure by “Papa”. He saw them on a daily basis, whether it was picking them up from Old Orchard School (he was always the first car parked out in front), building their Flintstone car and so many other wonderful memories. Victor made friends everywhere and had his routine, especially after Isabelle died. He continued to live in his own apartment, driving daily up until his death. He couldn't wait for the long cold winter to be over. He relished the thought of working outside in the warm sunshine- planting flowers with his neighbor at the apartment, working on the pool and in the garden and spending time with his great-grandchildren. Vic lived his life honestly and with genuine love and compassion for all he encountered. He helped everyone he knew and never had a bad word to say about anyone. He kept active physically and was sharp as a tack mentally. Predeceased by his parents and beloved Isabelle, he is survived by daughter, Victoria Lynn and her husband, Ibrahim who Vic loved as his own son. His dear grandchildren are Hyder (Zeina), Sadeq, Sabrina (Mohamad) Moussa, Mehdi, and Ali. Great-grandchildren are Jana and Yara Ismail and Ali Moussa with another on the way. Friends are invited to visit from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Wednesday in the Ansberg-West Funeral Home, 3000 Sylvania Avenue, where prayers will follow at 11:30 a.m. and the Funeral Mass at 12 Noon, in St. Pius X Church. Interment will be in Ottawa Hills Memorial Park. Our family is grateful for the compassionate care received by Victor at Toledo Hospital ICU, especially his critical care physician Dr. Wilson, long time friend and family doctor Dr. Fine, and ICU nurses Rich, Russ, and Jen. We were all so lucky to have Victor in our lives- rest in peace, Dad.

Victor S. Stelzer

August 12, 1916 - April 22, 2011