RALEIGH “JUNIOR” GUTAPFEL
Raleigh “Junior” Gutapfel, age 93, of Sunman, passed away Sunday, June 19, 2022, at The Christ Hospital, Cincinnati. He was born October 13, 1928, in Lawrenceville, a son to Raleigh Louis and Bertha Hildebrand Gutapfel. After attending Lawrenceville school, Junior proudly served his country in the United States Army. Junior was a Korean War Veteran, and he stayed active with the Sunman American Legion Post 337. On January 11, 1964, Junior married the love of his life, Patricia Ann Ehlers at St. John Lutheran Church, Hubbells Corner, Sunman, where Junior was a lifelong active member.
Junior loved farming and spent his life as a big part of the farming community. People would tell you; “Junior can grow grass on a rock.” Junior, along with his family, owned and operated Gutapfel Brothers Fertilizer and Seed for many years. For 44 years, Junior proudly operated a school bus for Sunman-Dearborn School Corporation. He always enjoyed and looked forward to the children on his bus routes. When Junior wasn’t working, which wasn’t often, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and gardening. His biggest enjoyment in life was being a dad and grandpa. Junior’s pride and joy was spending time with his family and oh how he loved his grandchildren.
Survived to cherish the memories and love of Junior is his wife of 58 years Patrica Ann; four children: David (Debbie) Gutapfel of Sunman, June (Jeff) Fryman of Fairborn, Ohio, James (Justine) Gutapfel of Cedar Grove, Carol (Ken) Schmidt of Sunman; grandchildren: Spencer (Haley) Gutapfel, Truman Gutapfel, Brittney (Ben) Minnich, Sarah (Cedric Gegel) Fryman, Tyler (Alyssa) Gutapfel, Shawn Schmidt, Garrett Gutapfel, Heather Fryman, Orrin Schmidt, Colton Gutapfel, Madison Schmidt; great grandchildren: Carter Gutapfel, Payten Gutapfel, Brooks Gutapfel, Palmer Gutapfel; brother, Cletus (Patsy) Gutapfel; sister, Ruth Huber; sister-in-law, Arlene Gutapfel; and adored nieces and nephews.
Junior was preceded in death by his parents, Raleigh Louis and Bertha Gutapfel; brother, Alvin Gutapfel; sisters, Esther Bausback and Anna Marie Clemenz.
Visitation will be Thursday, June 30, 2022, from 4 to 7 pm at Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home – 107 Vine St. Sunman. Funeral Services will be Friday, July 1, 2022, 10 am at St. John Lutheran Hubbells Corner – 12523 N. Dearborn Rd. Sunman, with Reverend June Fryman officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors. Memorial donations can be directed to St. John Lutheran Church Hubbells Corner or Sunman American Legion Post 337.
For more information, send condolences or to sign the online guest book go to www.cookrosenberger.com. The staff of Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Raleigh “Junior” Gutapfel.