Walter D. Schelling, age 77, of rural Montpelier, Ohio, passed away at 6:10 A.M. on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, shortly after admittance to Community Hospitals and Wellness Centers in Bryan, Ohio.
Mr. Schelling was a 1959 graduate of Bryan High School and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering and Surveying from Tri-State College in 1962. He attended Tri-State with friends, Gaylon Davis, who become Defiance County and Defiance City Engineer, and Larry Shade and his cousin, Ed Schelling, who both became engineers for General Motors. Walter worked as Williams County Assistant Deputy Engineer for many years and was elected Williams County Engineer in 1988, serving for sixteen years in that position.
He retired in 2004, serving Williams County for a total of forty-two years. He most enjoyed planning the Lockport covered bridge and the covered bridge at the Williams County fairgrounds, both of which were constructed during his tenure as county engineer. He also served on the Park Board for Williams County from 1989-2006. He was baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness in 2012, attending the Kingdom Hall in Montpelier, and spent many happy hours sharing the good news and hope of the resurrection on paradise Earth. In retirement he enjoyed his time on his farm south of Montpelier, doing a little fishing, golfing, cutting wood and attending many of his grandchildren’s sporting events.
Walter D. Schelling was born on December 17, 1941, in Bryan, the son of Fred and Doris (Perkins) Schelling. He married Marilyn Mae Mercer on August 14, 1987, near Montpelier, and she survives.
Surviving in addition to his wife are two sons, Kevin (Jodi) Schelling, of Montpelier, and Mark (Kellie) Light, of Fredricksburg, Virginia; four daughters, Kim (Gary) Beattie, of Hillsdale, Michigan, Ann (Ignacio, Jr. ) Gracia, of Hunterville, North Carolina, Liberty (Steve) Schultz, of Bryan, and Carrie (Paul Shock) Deckrosh, of Dupont, Ohio; eighteen grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one brother, John Schelling, of Edgerton, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother, Jimmy Schelling; and a sister, Louella Schelling, in 1959.
A memorial service celebrating Walter’s life will be held at a later date.
Memorials are requested to Montpelier Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 703 Heller Street, Montpelier, Ohio 43543. Krill Funeral Service, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan, has been entrusted with arrangements.