Thomas W Fuerst's Obituary
Thomas W. Fuerst, 93, of Columbus Grove, passed away on Friday, April 24, 2026, at his home. He was born on Friday, May 13, 1932, to the late Amos and Teresa (Birkemeier) Fuerst. On November 24, 1960, he married Joyce Irwin who preceded him in death.
Thomas graduated from Columbus Grove, and he attended the University of Maryland for two years while in the service. He was career military with the U.S. Army with over 20 years of service. He served in Korea and later in Vietnam. He was a drill sergeant at Ft. Knox, Kentucky and Ft. Jackson, South Carolina. He raised M.P. German Shepards for Ft. Jackson. Tom was a member of the combined American Legion Post 516 and VFW Post 9648 Honor Guard, which he served as Sergeant at Arms for many years, and Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 2772, Columbus Grove. He was also a member of Bluffton-Columbus Grove Men's Garden Club and St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. He enjoyed camping, gardening, raising roses and giant sunflowers and coming home to pick on Rex "Bozo" The Family Rabbit. He loved to spend time with granddaughter and great-grandchildren, especially great-grandson, JJ Baker.
He is survived by his daughter, Rose (Kenneth) Polovich; granddaughter, Shawna (James) Baker; four great grandchildren, Nataleighann, Miranda, Mason and JJ Baker; adoptive granddaughter, Anna (Eric) Ogle; adoptive great granddaughters, Arabeth and Rayna Ogle; sisters, Margaret (Bill) Weber, Norma Jean Lisota and Irene Biederman; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Fuerst and Norma (Pearl) Miller; He is preceded in death by sons, Robert "Bobbie" Fuerst and Christopher Fuerst; grandchildren, Paige Weidman and T.J. Weidman; siblings, Wilfred, Virgil, Joseph (Esther) Fuerst, Dorothy (Stephen) Diehl, Martha (Samuel) Davis, Mary Fuerst, Agnes Parker; in-laws, Dave and Betty Basinger and Paul and Virginia Irwin.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Columbus Grove, OH with Fr. David Ritchie officiating. Visitation is on Monday, May 4, 2026, from 2:00 - 4:00 pm and 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Hartman-Rousculp Community Funeral Home. Burial at St. Anthony Cemetery with military honors. Preferred memorials to the family for college funds for the great-grandchildren. To share online condolences please visit www.hartmanfunerals.com.
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