Kermit Ferdinand Stroh, 89, died on September 22nd 2022, in Harbor Springs, Michigan.
Kerm was born in Moulton, Ohio on February 25th, 1933 to the late Elmer and Emma (Detjen) Stroh.
He was married to Mary Lu (Schwer) Stroh for 57 years until her death in 2008.
In 2009 he married Mary Ellen Good who survives.
Also surviving are his daughters, Tracey (Van) Wright of Wapakoneta, Deborah Stroh of Cridersville, and Melissa (Bob) Wansker, of Charlotte, NC. He is also survived by his five grandsons, Cameron (Jessica) Wright of Manhattan Beach, CA, Alex (Kristen) Wright of Rocklin, CA, Rob (Andrea) Wansker of New Bern, NC, AJ (Samantha) Stroh of Tipp City, and Austin (Erin) Wansker of Pawley’s Island, SC., and his great-grandchildren, Maximo, Aila, Luca, and Zenzo Wright, and Emily and Brielle Stroh.
His brother Henry “Hank” (LeArdyce) Stroh of Wapakoneta, and his sister Miriam Kleven of Westland, MI also survive him.
Besides his wife, Mary Lu, he was predeceased by his parents, his brother Charles “Buck” Stroh, and infant son Daniel.
A graduate of Blume High School class of 1951, Kerm worked with his father in the Moulton General Store until called to serve in the Korean Conflict as a helicopter mechanic.
In 1958, he and Elmer founded Moulton Gas Service, Inc. working out of the back bedroom of Elmer’s house. From that humble start, it grew into a multi-state full-service propane company.
During those years, Kerm served as the Ohio Propane Gas Association President, at that time the only one to hold the office twice.
He served on the Lima Memorial Hospital Board for multiple terms.
Moulton meant a lot to him. He was a life-long member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Moulton, serving on Church Council, president of the Congregation, a Sunday school teacher for the High school age class and a member of the church choir. He was a player/coach for the Moulton Merchants fast pitch softball team for 30 plus years. Kerm served on the Board of Education at Moulton Local School which he attended as a child. His membership in the Moulton Gun Club produced many interesting stories.
In the early 60’s, Kerm from WERM was born as he began his radio career broadcasting local basketball and football games. The tournament games for this area were played at BGSU, and the people he met there started him on the road to becoming a true Falcon fan.
Kerm served on the BGSU Board of Trustees. He served two terms as board chair from 1999-2001. He received his honorary Doctorate from BGSU in 2002. Following the sale of his propane business, he and Mary Lu provided a gift to help construct BGSU’s convocation building, The Stroh Center.
On October 8th, he will posthumously be inducted into the BGSU Athletics’ Hall of Fame.
He was a die-hard supporter of Falcon Athletics, but the referees for some of those games, not so much.
A graveside service conducted by Rev. Melodi Hagen will be observed by the family. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on October 2nd at 2pm, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moulton. The family will receive friends, 1-2 p.m., Sun. at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Eley Funeral Home & Crematory, Wapakoneta, where condolences may be expressed at www.eleyfuneralhomeandcrematory.com.
Memorials may be directed to the Permanent Improvement Fund at Trinity Lutheran Church,
14127 Moulton New Knoxville Road, Wapakoneta, OH 45895
Or given to the Kerm and Mary Lu Stroh Scholarship fund at BGSU, which provides a yearly scholarship to a student in our surrounding area.
BGSU Foundation, Inc.
1851 N. Research Drive
Bowling Green, OH 43403
