Walker-Eastman-Heydinger Funeral Home
98 W. Main St.
Norwalk, OH 44857
Phone: 419.663.4513
Fax: 419.663.6809
Cell Phone: 419.663.3504
Email: wehfh@eastmanfuneralhome.com
Website: https://www.eastmanfuneralhome.com/norwalk
View All Obituaries from Walker-Eastman-Heydinger Funeral Home
Dr. Lawrence J. Gfell, 81, of Norwalk, Ohio, passed away Saturday, March 18, 2017 in Fisher-Titus Medical Center.
He was born March 19, 1935 in Norwalk, Ohio, to the late Russell T. and Myrtle L. (Myers) Gfell, and was a lifelong area resident.
Larry was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, and was a 1953 graduate of Norwalk High School. He was the former owner of Fairview Animal Hospital in Norwalk, Ohio, and was also the former owner of the Commercial House Restaurant in Monroeville, Ohio.
Larry graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the Ohio State University College of Agriculture, Columbus, Ohio, and received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, Ohio. While at Ohio State he was a research assistant in Veterinary parasitology and for the Tissue Committee and in the Records Library at Ohio State University Hospital.
Larry was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, The Ohio Veterinary Medical Association, the North Central Veterinary Medical Association, the Sandusky Bay Veterinary Medical Association, the Cleveland Academy of Veterinary Medicine, the Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni, was Past President of the Norwalk Rotary Club, was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, was twice Past President of the American Heart Association Leadership, the Bronson Norwalk Conservation League, Norwalk Eagles, Norwalk Elks, the Norwalk Fullbacker's Club, Norwalk Booster Club, St. Paul Booster Club, the Ohio State Alumni Association, the Stadium Scholarship Dorm Alumni Association, Omega Tau Sigma Fraternity, the Young Men's Reading Association, the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce, the Ohio High School Athletic Association, a member of the Civil War Roundtable and a judge for the Norwalk Middle School Science Fair.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy L. (Rice) Gfell, of Norwalk, Ohio, by his children, Erin and John Lendrum, Jill Roberts, Lynn and Kenneth Espvik, Gretchen Gfell and Michael Holdren, Stephen and Nancy Gfell, Cynthia Gfell, Scott and Jacqueline Betschman, and Susan Betschman, by his grandchildren, Alex Lendrum, Meredith Lendrum, Emily and Kyle Kurtz, Sara and Kenneth Gee, Hannah Roberts, Hikon Espvik, Paige Espvik, Abigail Gfell, Thomas Gfell, Tyson Pryor, Brittany Betschman, Sean and Melissa Betschman, and Robert Betschman, by his great grandchildren, Elly and Cooper Gee. Larry is also survived by his sisters, Marjorie and David Hofheinz and Mary Lou and Joseph Viviano, and by his brother in law, James Buderer.
He was preceded in death by Stephen Betschman and David Roberts, and by his sister, Joyce Buderer. There will be no visitation. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Mary Catholic Church, 38 West League Street, Norwalk, Ohio. Rev. Anthony Recker will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1900 Coffey Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210, to St. Mary Catholic Church, or to the Huron County Humane Society, 246 Woodlawn Avenue, Norwalk, Ohio 44857.
Online condolences may be made by going to www.edwalkerfuneralhome.com.
