Gary L. Struchen

          Gary Lee Struchen, 88, of Gnadenhutten passed away on January 30, 2023, in Oak Pointe Nursing & Rehab Center in Baltic. He was born September 7, 1934 in Gnadenhutten where he resided his entire life. He was the son of the late Mary (Daurer) and George Franklin “Frank” Sturchen. He graduated from Gnadenhutten High School in 1952 and was all Ohio for basketball and baseball.

          On June 11, 1955, he married the former Sandy Long with whom he enjoyed sixty-six years of marriage before her passing on May 1, 2022. Gary is also preceded in death by a grandson Nathan Renner, a brother Richard, sister-in-law Ina Struchen, sister-in-law and her husband Nancy and Bill Sanders, and brother-in-law Jim Mason, and his Jack Russell, Twila

          Surviving are three daughters: Sherry Struchen of Bolivar, Tammy Schlabach of Bakersville, and Tina Renner (Companion Rich Hindman) of Gnadenhutten; a son Jeff (Jacquie) Struchen of Gnadenhutten; six grandchildren: Chris Grove companion Shane, Jason (Lynette) Henry, Julie Struchen (companion Derek Cross), Janell Storm, Tyonna Renner, companion Lenny Bernhart, and Jade Slaughter; great-grandchildren: Luke and Hunter Henry, Abigail and Ellison Walls, Sage and Chase Storm, and Kyler and TJ Bernhart; two sisters-in-law: Kay (Larry) Laisure and Sue Mason.

          Gary worked as a coal miner for Cross Creek Coal of New Philadelphia, and Empire Coal, later called Costain Coal of Port Washington. He attended the Gnadenhutten United Methodist Church and was a member of the Uhrichsville Moose #740. Gary coached farm teams and Little League teams of Gnaden from 1971 to 1974. He enjoyed watching Dale Earnhardt and Dale Jr., Mohammed Ali, and Elvis Presley. Gary took great pride in watching his children and grandchildren participate in sports, band, and concerts.

          Visitation will be held on Friday, February 3, 2023, from 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. with a funeral service officiated by Pastor Hyun-Suk Kim, starting at 12:00 P.M., all held at Koch Funeral Home of Gnadenhutten. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gnadenhutten United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 37, Gnadenhutten, Ohio 44629. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kochfhgnaden.com.   

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