Wallace C. Rettig

Leetonia - Wallace C. Rettig, 80, of 111 Summit Street, Leetonia, formerly of Holgate, Ohio, died at 4:00 a.m. Monday, February 20, 2012 at his home.

Wally was born November 18, 1931 in Holgate, Ohio, the oldest child of William G. and Maggie L. Huber Rettig and was a 1949 graduate of Holgate High School. He served in the US Army 2nd Infantry Division in Korea where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. After returning from Korea, he met his wife, the former Nedra Jean Call of Defiance. They were married on October 10, 1954 and moved to Holgate, Ohio. Wally served as Mayor of Holgate from 1962 to 1965. Wally worked on the family farm as well as for Ron Zachrich Builders of Napoleon. He had also worked for his brother-in-law, Earl Edgar at the former Edgar Furniture in Defiance for several years. In 1977, he and his wife, Neddie, moved to Leetonia, Ohio where they partnered with their son, Jon Rettig in the ownership and operation of the Woods-Rettig Funeral Home in Leetonia. Wally attended Kent State University in Salem and received his funeral directors license in 1984. Although he retired in 1998, up until the last year he could be found helping out at the funeral home.

He was an active member of St. Jacob's United Church of Christ, Leetonia, the Lamplighters Sunday School Class and had been a very active member of the Leetonia Sportsman's Club. Wally was a former member and past president of the Leetonia Ruritan Club and was a founding member of the Oakdale Chapel Building Committee. He was a member and Past Patron of the former Charity Chapter Order of Eastern Star in Holgate; a member of the former Leetonia Chapter and was currently a member of Salem Chapter #334 OES. He was a member and past Master of the former Holgate Lodge, F. & A.M. and was a member of Leetonia Lodge #401 F.& A.M. and Royal Arch Masons Chapter #92. He was currently a member of Joe Williams Post #131 American Legion of Leetonia, York Drexler Post #5532 VFW of Washingtonville, Columbiana County 40 & 8 #273, and the Tri-State Korean War Veterans Chapter 126. He had also belonged to various antique tractor and engine clubs including the Florida Flywheelers and was happiest when he was spending time with his grandchildren; hunting, fishing, shooting, and going to engine shows.

Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Nedra Jean on August 5, 2010.

He is survived by a daughter, Lisa (Rick) Smith of Charlotte, NC; two sons, Jon (Ellen) Rettig, Sr. of East Palestine, OH and Kim (Elizabeth) Rettig of Tuscaloosa, AL; a sister, Joann (Mel) Schroeder Weber of Napoleon, OH; two brothers, Marvin W. (Brenda) Rettig of Lakeside, OH and Lynn C. (Elaine) Rettig of Plymouth, WI; a sister-in-law, Coral Edgar Stevens of East Palestine, OH; five grandchildren, Jon (Nicole) Rettig, Jr. of East Palestine, OH; Joshua Rettig, of Leetonia, OH, Joseph (Amanda) Rettig of Beavercreek, OH, Jean Rettig of Wilkes-Barre, PA, and Katherine Rettig of Fayetteville, NC; and a great grandson, Owen Joseph Rettig of Beavercreek, OH.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 24, 2012 at the St. Jacob's United Church of Christ, Leetonia with the Reverend Jenna Brown, his pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery, Leetonia, where the Salem Honor Guard will accord military honors. Friends may call from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Woods-Rettig Funeral Home, Leetonia and one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday. Leetonia Lodge will conduct Masonic Services at 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Jacob's United Church of Christ, The Charitable Foundation of the Salem Community Hospital, 1995 E. State St. Salem, OH 44460, or the Leetonia Sportsman's Club Kids Day Fund.