Ned A. Podoll, age 64, of St. Marys Ohio, passed away into His eternal care on October 12, 2021. He was born on March 14, 1957, in Bellefontaine, Ohio to the late Russell H. and Beverly J. (Young) Podoll. Ned and his family moved to New Bremen in 1964. He attended school in New Bremen and graduated in 1976. He later moved to St. Marys, Ohio in 2009 and was there until his passing. He lived briefly with his brother and family in Wautoma, WI where he worked at Waushara Industries INC.
He will be remembered in the hearts and lives of the many people he encountered through his genuine, caring, straightforward nature and those streaks of determined stubbornness. Many will know him because of his love of bike riding around New Bremen, wearing his fish hat, ringing the bike bell, calling out “Hey Sweetie” to the girls, and stopping to talk with his friends. He had a great love of music, bands, and dancing and didn’t miss an episode of the Lawrence Welk shows. He loved marching bands, firetrucks and parades, and was one of the biggest fans of the New Bremen Alumni Band. Bowling and participating in that event in the Auglaize County Special Olympics was a winter pastime. Ned lived and thrived in St. Marys residing in a Benchmark-owned group home with 3 other men. He held various jobs through Auglaize Industries and at We Can Too LLC. He enjoyed traveling to visit his family, numerous outing events with his group home family, and his membership in the Capabilities Community Club.
He is survived by his brothers and sisters: Roger (Cory) Podoll of Wautoma, WI; Mary (Mark) Pitroff of Hansville, WA; Randy (Rebecca) Podoll of Quincy, MI; Kay (Dan) Sanderlin of Wasilla, AK; Sue (Bob) Lord of Bellbrook, OH; brother in-law Steve Patterson of McGill, NV; and his group home family members and staff. Ned also had numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
The family would like to give a sincere thank you and appreciation to all who enriched his and our lives in knowing him. A special thanks to the staff and caregivers at Auglaize Industries, Auglaize DD, We Can Too, Capabilities Community Club and Benchmark Human Services. All were nurturing and trustworthy for his developmental support, adjustments, interactions within his community, and Ned’s overall wellbeing. We are grateful for his health care needs that the Family Medical Practice on Southland Road and Grand Lake Health System provided for him through the years and especially in his last weeks of life.
A private memorial burial will take place at a later date in the Willow Grove Cemetery near New Bremen. Memorial contributions in Ned’s memory can be made to Benchmark Human Services, Auglaize Industries, or Capabilities Community Club. As a family, we are far in miles but close in heart, so any condolences or personal anecdotes you would like to share can be made through the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home website at www.gilberghartwigfh.com