Carolyn June

Hetzel

Carolyn June Hetzel, 87, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 28, in the Franciscan Care Center in Toledo.

She was born October 11, 1936 in Fremont, Ohio, to John and Nellie (Hill) Hammer. She lost both of her parents at a very young age and she and her siblings were adopted, separately, within their extended family. Carolyn was adopted by her paternal grandmother's brother, John W. Gahn and his wife, Nell and grew up in the Old West End on Winthrop St.

She graduated from Scott High School and went on to learn to use a comptometer (pre-cursor of an adding machine/calculator). From there, she got a job at AP Parts, where Allen Hetzel Sr. was her boss. While working there, she met the boss' son, Allen E Hetzel Jr. They fell in love and were married on December 28, 1957 in St. Paul's Lutheran Church in downtown Toledo.  They enjoyed 54 years together before Al's death on July 31, 2012. Their daughter, Cathy, was born in October 1959, followed by son, Allen III (Butch) in March 1963.     Once her children were born, Carolyn became a full-time mother who was active in her children's lives. She was a room mother at Monac Elementary, a Leader for Cathy's Girl Scout troop and also helped out with Butch's Cub Scout troop.

When their children were young, Carolyn and Al purchased their first cottage in Reno Beach. Carolyn loved the sun and the water and lived for her summers at the lake, where she could swim, lay in the sun and later, work in her big gardens.

Carolyn was a long-time member of Grace Lutheran Church on Monroe St. in Toledo. She sang in the choir and was active in the Ladies' Craft Group and helped with the biennial Craft Fair.

In the early 2000's, Carolyn's sister and brother-in-law, Rosie and Dick Reno, invited her and Al to visit them at their trailer in Bowling Green, FL. While there, they were convinced to also buy a trailer in the same park. They then became snowbirds and Carolyn could indulge in her beloved sun and water year round. She voluntarily started and led a water aerobics class at the park's pool.

Carolyn loved animals. She had a succession of dogs over the years, but also raised an orphan mourning dove chick Cathy brought home. One year, she incubated some chicken eggs for one of Cathy's school projects and adopted one of the chicks that was born crippled. Later on, Al bought her an African Grey parrot, Apollo, who she spoiled rotten. She loved taking her for rides on the handlebars of her bicycle.

Butch married Sandy May 12, 1984 and they were blessed with three girls. Carolyn loved caring for them while their parents were at work.

Carolyn was a kind and generous person who was always ready and willing to help anyone in need. She had many friends and people who loved her.

In 2020, Carolyn's health had declined such that she had to give up her place in Florida and her cottage and go into assisted living at Oakleaf Village in Toledo. A further decline last year, led to her becoming a resident in the long-term care section at the Franciscan Center.

She is survived by daughter, Cathy Anderson of Liberty Center, OH; son Allen III (Sandy) of Toledo;  grandchildren, Autumn & Michael Shock of Toledo; Lindsey Bateson & Kevin Orth of Toledo: Cassie Hetzel and fiancé, Nick McKinley of Kalamazoo, MI; great-grandchildren, Alexzander & Elliott Bateson and Isabelle & Emilia Shock; brother-in law, Richard Reno; sister-in-law, Lois Hammer and many nieces and nephews and beloved friends. She was preceded in death by both sets of parents, husband Allen II, sister Rosalyn Reno, brothers Charles Hammer and Richard Williams and son-in-law Wayne Anderson.

Visitation will be Tuesday, April 2, from 3pm – 7pm, at the Castillo Funeral Home, 1757 Tremainsville Rd., Toledo, OH where funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11 am.  Interment to follow in Historic Woodlawn Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Toledo Humane Society or a charity of the donor's choice.

Arrangements are being provided by Foth-Dorfmeyer Mortuary where online condolences may be left at www.fothdorfmeyer.com