Henry Bahler, Jr.

Henry Bahler, Jr., 96 1/2 years old, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at UTMC. Henry was born on September 17, 1927 on the family farm in Freedom Township, Napoleon, Ohio to the late Henry P. Bahler, and Anna (Meyer) Bahler, On May 2, 1954, he married the love of his life, Leona M. (Oberhaus) Bahler at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Napoleon Township, Napoleon Ohio by Pastor Heuter. Leona passed away on April 3, 2023. They were married 68 years before her passing. They met downtown Napoleon, Ohio in 1953 as she was eating a banana split with a girlfriend and he was drinking a beer with an Army buddy.

He was a Korean War Army Veteran and proudly served overseas in Korea from 1950 to 1952. He was assigned to the 213th and the 76 AAA HG. Gun BN and Communications. He was very proud of his service to our country and often talk about it. He was a Hometown Hero at the Walleye Hockey game on Friday, November 24, 2023 with his family in attendance where he was recognized for his service in the U. S. Army.

He worked at Doehler Jarvis for 10 years, and then was self-employed in Real Estate and Construction for 32 years. He also built and managed a 22 unit apartment complex in Toledo, Ohio, which houses disabled Veterans and the Homeless.

He was a founder of the South End Block Watch Community Organization in Toledo, Ohio. His main goal was to clean up abandoned houses, crime and many other concerns. He also was a member of the Steering Committee of the Neighborhood Revitalization, Coalition and Nuisance Abatement. He successfully helped organize the first Housing Court and Judge in the City of Toledo.

He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 3338, a member of GBU of the German American Festival Society, Toledo Schwaben Verin, former member of the Low German Club dance group, the Turners Deutsche Volkstanz (Dance) Gruppe, the Bavarian Sports Club where his children performed in the dance group, D’Holzhackerbuam Schuhplattlers and later on, he played the accordion for the group. Many friends and relatives fondly remember his polka dancing with Leona, and playing the button-box accordion which he was self-taught and played beautiful polkas since he was 11 years old. He owned a total of eight accordions, and his favorite one was custom-made in Austria on their month long trip to Germany and Austria in 1987 to research their family geneology. He and Leona spent many years researching both of their family trees back to the 1600’s.

He is survived by their Daughter, Bonnie (Grant) Mason, grandchildren: Derek Mason & fiance Kayla Petersen, Monica (Philip) Koch, and Sarah (Jansen) Deas, Sisters-in-Law: Ruth (Edwin) Bahler and Vivian (Alfred) Oberhaus. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Leona, his son and daughter-in-law, Jerry & Linda Bahler, sister, Almeda Panning, brothers, Lawrence and Edwin Bahler, sister-in-law, Laura Bahler, brothers-in-law, Edwin Wachtman and Rudy Panning.

A special thank you goes to the neighbors of the Watercrest Homeowners’ Association, especially Sid, Rick and Jeff Henzler who were always there to support us with meals and their devoted friendship. Also, thank you for our friends at the Maumee Senior Center, and Genesis Village where Henry enjoyed many visits. In addition, we wish to thank Comfort Keepers and our caregivers, Jill H., Cindy G., Alexus B., and Kimmie who’s assistance and loving care will never be forgotten.

Memorial contributions may be given to VFW Post 3338, 2231 South Ave., Toledo, Ohio 43609, St John Lutheran Church School Freedom Township, Ohio, 16035 County Rd., U, Napoleon, Ohio 43545 (where he attended school), Maumee Senior Center or Genesis Village.

Visitation will be held at the Walter Funeral Home, 4653 Glendale Avenue, on Friday, April 26th from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will take place on Saturday, April 27th at Trinity Lutheran Church, 4560 Glendale Avenue beginning with visitation at 8:00 a.m. followed by the service at 9:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens, Waterville, Ohio.