Rev. Dr. Eugene E. Hegemier

Rev. Dr. Eugene E. Hegemier, 83, of Oak Harbor, OH was born into eternal life on Saturday, February 4, 2017 at his home, following a lengthy illness. He was born on July 14, 1933 in New Bremen, OH, the son of the late Earl & Irene (Roettger) Hegemier. He was a 1951 graduate of New Bremen High School. A 1955 graduate of Heidelberg College in Tiffin, OH, Gene was active on campus, serving as Class President. As president of the Student Christian Association, he began a path that led to full time Christian Ministry. He received his Master of Divinity Degree from Eden Theological Seminary, St. Louis, MO in 1958. That same year, he was ordained in his home church, St. Paul United Church of Christ in New Bremen, OH. In 1989 he received his Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Heidelberg College along with Malcolm Forbes of Forbes Magazine. Leadership in the United Church of Christ has been a mark of his career. He was President of the United Church of Christ Minister's Association of the Maumee Bay District, Northwest Ohio Association Council of the UCC and Chairman of the Personnel Committee of the Northwest Ohio Association. Rev. Hegemier was elected delegate to the General Synod of the United Church of Christ on three separate occasions. As a UCC Pastor, he served three churches with distinction. He began his ministerial career at Trinity United Church of Christ in McCutchenville, OH where he served from 1958 1965. He then moved to the Toledo area where he became the Pastor of Memorial United Church of Christ from 1965 1973. In 1973, he began his 23 year Senior Pastor role in Oak Harbor at St. Paul United Church of Christ retiring in 1996, at which time he was elected Pastor Emeritus. Following his retirement, he filled interim roles, leading congregations at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Marblehead, OH, and Lyme Congregational Church, Bellevue, OH. During his ministry, he performed 701 baptisms, received 1, 186 new members, performed 510 marriages and 660 funerals. Community service was always an important aspect of Rev. Hegemier's life. He was past president of the Board of Social Concerns of Ottawa County, past president of the Ministerial Association of Oak Harbor, Ambassador Team for Eden Theological Seminary, served 25 years on the Board of Trustees of H.B. Magruder Memorial Hospital, Port Clinton, OH, a charter member and Past President of the Oak Harbor Lions Club, President of the Oak Harbor Log Cabin Committee and a former member of the Ambassador Team for Eden Theological Seminary. Gene also enjoyed trips to their cottage in Michigan several times a year and leaving each March during retirement to go to Florida. Other hobbies included mowing the yard, golfing, following his grandchildren's activities, and going (not only once a day, but sometimes twice if the Tigers won) to the Oak Harbor Hardware Store, especially during baseball season. There was something to be said about the rivalry between the lonely Tigers fan and the Indians fans at the store. Survivors include his High School sweetheart, the former June F. Hirschfeld, whom he married July 16, 1955 at St. Paul Church, New Bremen, OH where they were both baptized and confirmed. She currently lives in Oak Harbor, OH. Also surviving are their children: David (Linda) Hegemier of Oak Harbor, Jonathan (Alfreda) Hegemier of Pemberville, OH, Elizabeth Anne (Joseph) Sugalski of Huron, OH; grandchildren: Rebecca (Bradley) Hoffman, Joshua Hegemier, Rachel (Jeremiah) Helle, Kathryn Hegemier, Christine (fianc, Jacon) Hegemier, Jon Michael Hegemier, Joseph Sugalski, and Lauren Sugalski. He was preceded in death by his parents and infant daughter Christina Lynn Hegemier. Friends are invited to call from 1-8 P.M. Tuesday at Crosser Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 301 N. Locust St., Oak Harbor. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at St. Paul United Church of Christ, 165 Toussaint St., Oak Harbor, where friends may call after 10:00 A.M. The Rev. David A. Voll will officiate, and interment will follow at Salem Township Union Cemetery, Oak Harbor. In lieu of flowers, those giving memorial contributions may wish to consider the Memorial Fund of St. Paul United Church of Christ or Heartland Hospice. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.crosserfuneralhome.com. Funeral Home: Crosser Funeral Home & Cremation Service - Oak Harbor Chapel 301 N. Locust Street Oak Harbor, OH US 43449