Larry “Tank” R. Nitschke, 75, of Fremont, OH passed away on September 9, 2016 at Bethesda Care Center. He was born in November of 1940 in Fremont, OH to the late Wesley and Oleta (Abbott) Nitschke where he remained a lifelong resident. He was a 1958 graduate of Ross High School where he received his nickname while playing football.
Larry married the love of his life, Beatrice Pasch in 1970. Their marriage remained a true partnership through healthy times and over the past eleven years as they became cancer warriors, following the ever present motto “Never Give Up.”
Larry began working at Havenshire Dairy out of high school and later joined the Woleslagel Moving Co., Inc. team but his real passion was realized when he joined the Fremont Police Department as a rookie in 1962. He retired from the department in 1990 after serving twenty-seven years. It was not long after that he joined the Sandusky County Sheriff’s Department as the Transport Officer where he remained for the next seventeen years before cancer forced him to retire.
Larry was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church where he served on many committees as either a member or an officer. Larry served in the National Guard. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police #35 where he was the president in 1972. He was an avid Ohio State and Detroit Tigers and Lions fan. Larry also loved racing.
Larry will be remembered by not only his friends and family as a caring and loving person but also by those he met “on his beat.” He always had time for a chat with a few smiles thrown in. If you were one of the many who needed help he was always there for you and helped in any way he could.
Larry is survived by his wife of forty-six years, Beatrice Nitschke, Fremont; sister, Bonnie (James) Sparks, Indiana; adopted son, Tom (Shannon) Fligor, Fremont; nieces, Tracey (Chris) Bobek, Indianapolis and Emily (Cory) Adkins, Parma, OH; nephew, Dean Sparks, Indiana; two great nephews and one great niece.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Richard Nitschke.
Vitiation: Sunday from 2 to 8 p.m. at Wonderly Horvath Hanes Funeral Home and Crematory, 425 E State St., Fremont, OH with a F.O.P. service at 7:30 p.m.
Service: Monday, September 12, 2016; 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 212 N. Clover St., Fremont, OH with and hour of visitation prior to the service at the church.
Burial: Oakwood Cemetery
Memorials: St. John’s Lutheran Church Handbell Choir or Sandusky County Cancer Fund mail to United Way of Sandusky County, 826 W. State St., Fremont, OH 43420.
Online Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.whhfh.com
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Bob Hahn
My thoughts and prayers go to Tank’s family! May he RIP!
Bonnie
Thanks, appreciate the words !
Jim & Sara Wagner
Bea and family, We are thinking of you and praying that God will comfort you~
Barbara (Carmean) Gangwer
Bea, Bonnie and family. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time . Tank was a great man who I have known since I was a teen. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Myrt Rustik
Sorry for your loss, may you all be at peace.
Johnathon Sharp, Ph.D.
There are many words and great things we can say about “Tank.” He was a great man and a great law enforcement officer. I was privileged enough to work with Larry for several years before he had to leave due to medical reasons. He was always willing and stepping forward to help and teach others. Tank showed a sincere interest in his co-workers and was always great to be around. My condolences to his wife, Bea and all of those who were blessed enough to know him.
Bonnie and Richard Wickert
So sorry to hear of Tank’s passing on our 48th anniversary….will remember the fun times in Acapulco with our crazy bunch……..Tank was a wonderful man…….I pray God will comfort you, Bea!!! HUGS!!!
Denny and Tami Mathews
So sorry for your loss. May he Rest in Peace!
Lou Meyer
Truly one of the good ones.
Gretchen Wonderly Mies
I’m sorry to hear of Tank’s passing. I remember camping with him and Bea at the Fremont Police Club in Bascom when I was a kid. I always liked just hanging around Tank and his dogs (I believe a Rot Weiler and Doberman Pincer). He was like a big kid!! Deepest sympathy to his family.
Sherry Houdeshell
Bea, So sorry to hear love and prayers to you. Tank was a wonderful person.
Steve and Alison Minnich
Bea and family,
We are very sad to hear of Larry’s passing. He was a kind soul who will be missed very much. Our thoughts are with you now and the days to come.
Pam Conley
So sorry to hear of Tank’s passing. He and my Dad were friends and tank was always kind to all of us. He had a great smile. Prayers of healing and comfort for his family. God bless.
Shelia Hineline
What a wonderful man. Always quick to say hello and a “Behave Yourself”. GOD BLESS YOU ON YOUR TRIP TO HEAVEN…
Richard & Martha Joseph
Great guy one of a kind like a brother all around dedicated Policeman. Proud to have had Larry with us. May you now rest in Peace .
Missy and Brian Flahiff
Bea,and family,we are so sad to hear about Tank,he was a special guy who was a joy to be around,we’d always love running into you two and getting caught up on the latest. May he now be pain free and rest in peace. Bea may all of your treasured memories and your love for each other bring you comfort during this sad time. RIH Tank,you’ll be missed.
Joyce and Tom Stainbrook and Adam and Kate
Bea and family. Tom and I and our family were so sad to hear that Larry passed away. He was such a wonderful man and a great neighbor to us when we lived across from you on Morrison St. We have many fond memories of him and are truly sorry. There are just some people you meet in life who you never forget and he was one of those people. Even though we moved to Nashville and hadn’t seen him in years, we remembered him with great fondness. He was a good man and our prayer is that God brings you comfort in the knowledge that Larry is at peace, free from pain and home with his Heavenly Father.
Joe Capucini
My family’s appreciation for his decades of service and friendship runs deep. RIP, Good Sir and my your family find comfort in your lasting legacy.
Carmella Riffle
Sorry to hear about Tank’s passing. He was great to work with & always had a positive outlook. He will be missed. My condolences to the family.
Kim Blakemore
I wish you peace in your time of sorrow, Bea. RIP, Tank…
Bill Ritchie
Tank is no longer suffering. He always had a smile and good words where ever I seen and talked to him.
RIP old friend… Guide us so we “Never Give Up”.
Bill Ritchie
RIP, Tank… Guide us so we also, “Never Give Up”
God bless you
Randy D. Vollmar
My main training Officer during my 1st year on the P.D. thanks for Your Time, the pointers, the talks, the knowledge that you passed down, ya did good Tank, real good. Peace to the family, may the Lord smile down upon you during this trying time and help with your greiving. You’ll not be forgotten OLD FRIEND, SEMPER FI . . .
John & Mary Ellen Shannon, Buckhead, Ga.
Our deepest sympathies to “Tanks” family. I’ve known Larry since our days at Atkinson until graduation in 1958, the last class to graduate from the old High School, soon to be coming up on 60 years, which doesn’t seem possible. Larry and Bea fought a brave and courageous 11 year battle, now at peace. May your journey now be a pleasant one my brother, (Miami FOP Lodge #20, Miami, Florida) Our thoughts and prayers are with you all and your many friends.
Jeff Harvey
Had the pleasure transporting a few times in the mid 90’s with Tank. He always made the drives interesting. Good man and will be missed.
Edwqard Schultz
Family of Larry Nitschke
With Deepest Sympathy
In your time of sorrow may it ease your pain to know that others are thinking of you.
Associated Buyers Employees and Families
Edward , Sandra and Donald L. Schultz
Dick and Carol Hoffman
We truly extend our sympathy to Bea and Bonnie and all family and friends for the loss of a great man. It is our sincere prayer that Our Dear Lord bring peace and comfort to all, knowing that where he is now he has peace with no pain or tears, no struggles or obstacles, but only joy as he rest in the loving arms of Jesus. RIP my Brother and friend.
Dick and Carol Hoffman
Penny Lucas
I have known this man my whole life He was a friend of my dad’s n jokingly referred to my mother as a teenage run away since she left her home town at 19 to marry my father. He was always kind to everyone. He will b sadly missed by all who had the good fortune to know him! My prayers for the family. RIH TANK
Renate Pealer
Larry was truly an “Officer and a Gentleman”. He was like second father to my niece, Emily. He will be remembered by all whose lives he touched. May he rest in peace. May Bea find comfort at this time of great sadness.
Tim and Mary Mahoney
Bea, so sorry for your loss, Tank was one in a million. We are losing too many of the “good guys “….our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Doug and Laurie Mierke
So sad, Tank was a great guy & will be missed. Our thoughts are with you Bea.
Vickie Snyder
May God’s promise of eternal life bring you comfort, Bea.
Russell & Vickie Snyder
Cheryl Lippert
Dear Bea, Bonnie and Family, So very sorry about Tank. He sure did put up a good fight. What a kind caring man he was. My thoughts an prayers are with you through this sad time.
Deepest Sympathy,
Irene and Larry Hedden
Dear Bea, Irene and I wish to extend our most sincere sympathy for your loss. We hope after the many years of struggle that you can find a small measure of peace through family and friends.
Sincerely, Irene and Larry
Jamie Gibson
So sorry for your loss I had a chance to meet tank some few years back a very dedicated man to his job and to the public very sincere he will be missed may you RIP TANK . But I am praying for the family u will be in my prayers in your time of loss may God give u comfort…….
Dick Sherman
Bea and Bonnie and Family. I am sorry for your loss of cousin Larry. He always gave me a hug at athletic events with a family greeting . My prayers are with you.
Bob Jahns
Sorry to here about Larry’s Passing. Larry was one of my best friends through High School. Our prayers are with Beatrice and the family.
Bonnie
Thank you to all who have posted on this site. Larry’s family certainly does appreciate all the kind words for a man we all loved. He will certainly be missed.
JOYCE AND BOB GOEDICKE
TO BEA / BONNIE AND THE FAMILY; WE WRITE THIS WITH A HEAVY HEART. WE MISSED YOU BOTH AS NEIGHBORS. WE ENJOYED GOING OUT TO EAT WITH YOU BOTH. WE HAD A BALL AT OUR PLACE ON ALL THE CHRISTMAS PARTIES, GOOD FOOD AND DRINKS. ENJOYED OUR VISITS WITH YOU AFTER YOU BOTH MOVED. TANK, WE WILL MISS YOU. I CAN SEE YOU NOW, SAYING > O – H – I – O < REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND, UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN MY FRIEND. PRAYERS FOR YOU TANK AND THE FAMILY.
JOYCE AND BOB GOEDICKE LITTLE RIVER SOUTH CAROLINA