04/18/2023

Obituary for Gerald E. Foos

Father of Brian and Grandfather of Gerald "J.J." and E. Miles Foos of Foos & Foos Funeral Home

OFDA was recently informed of Mr. Gerald Foos' passing on February 3, 2023.

Gerald E. Foos, 82, of Huron and formerly of Bellevue passed away Friday, February 3, 2023, at his home.  He was born April 2, 1940, in Bellevue the son of Ralph E. and Marjorie M. (Simmons) Foos.

Gerry was a 1958 graduate of Bellevue High School. He attended Heidelberg College and went on to complete his education at the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He then returned to his hometown to join his father in the family business, Foos & Son Funeral Home.

He married his high school sweetheart Gail Zeigler on June 18, 1960, at Immaculate Conception Church and together they grew their business which has served the Bellevue-Clyde communities for 4 generations. Throughout his life he has been involved in many community and civic organizations in Bellevue. Gerry co-chaired the Rotary Commons Senior Housing Project, chaired the United in Spirit-Renewed in Purpose Capital Campaign at Immaculate Conception Church, and assisted with the BAF Stadium Project.

He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church and a Charter Member of The Rotary Club of Bellevue, where he was past president and received the Paul Harris Fellow. He was also a life member of Eagles Aerie 490, Elks Lodge #1013, the former Bellevue Moose Lodge, Knights of Columbus, and the Ohio Funeral Directors Association.

Gerry was honored by the Ohio Funeral Directors Association for 50 years of service in 2014; received the Founders Award and Citizen of the Year from the Bellevue Area Chamber of Commerce; was a Distinguished Graduate of Immaculate Conception School; and was most recently selected for induction into the Bellevue High School Halls of Excellence.

Gerry lived life to the fullest.  He was — even though he suffered many a heartbreak — an avid Cleveland Browns fan and Cleveland Indians fan.  He also rooted for the Hillsdale College Chargers, Bellevue Redmen Football, and Huron Tiger Football.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing and made many memories with his grandsons.  

He is survived by his wife, Gail; children: Lisa (Russ) Critelli of Huron, Ralph K. Foos of Huron, Brian E. (Lisa ) Foos of Bellevue; grandchildren: Gerald “J.J.” (Kelly) Foos, David Foos, Miles (Kristen) Foos, Ian Foos, Alec (Jaycie) Foos, Morgan Critelli, Lucas Critelli, Hannah (Brandon) Malson, Logan Foos and Shannon Foos; great grandchildren: Aubrey, Landry, Avery, Oliver, Bowen, and Delilah; and sisters, Helen (Gene) Milkie of Sandusky, Edith Milkie of Avon Lake, Martha Dise of Bellevue, Nancy (Lee) Clark of Bellevue, and Carol (Greg) Zimmerman of Bellevue; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his daughter, Leslie Foos, and grandson, Chad Critelli, brother-in-laws Donald Shaver, James Dise and Duane “Butch” Milkie.

A funeral Mass was held Wednesday, February 8 at Immaculate Conception Church, 231 E. Center St., Bellevue; burial followed at Bellevue Catholic Cemetery. 

Memorials may be made to the Immaculate Conception School Endowment; Stein Hospice, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, Ohio 44870, or The Bellevue Hospital Foundation, 1400 West Main Street, Bellevue, Ohio 44811.