Harold G. Saurers, age 91, of Ashland and formerly of Wooster, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 following a brief illness.
He was born on March 22, 1929 in Lodi, Ohio to Irwin Dale and Ida Mae (Spitler) Saurers. He was raised in Wayne County and had many happy memories as a boy of finding arrowheads in the fields of his grandparent’s farm and playing in Killbuck Creek. He was a 1947 graduate of Chester Township High School. He greatly treasured memories of his graduation cross-country trip with childhood friends and loved to talk of their adventures.
Harold had a very strong work ethic. He began working on cars and other vehicles at a young age. He served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict from 1950 – 1952 as a Wheel Vehicle Mechanic. He would go on to spend most of his life working on cars and automotive parts. His love for automobiles and all things mechanical meant that he truly never worked a day in his life. He said that going to work everyday was just like a vacation. He opened his own business in 1977 and worked for 40 years as the owner-operator of the former Wooster Ignition, Inc., an automotive custom rebuilder of starters, alternators and magnetos.
Harold loved being with family and enjoyed family outings. He married Eilene Wohlford in 1967. Together they spent time boating and fishing on Lake Erie at Catawba State Park. They also liked attending races at Wayne County Speedway and other tracks around the area. Harold was an avid fisherman and a big fan of stock car racing.
Harold had been a Wooster resident for most of his life. He attended Overton Community Church. Overton was his childhood church and even after moving to Ashland later in life, he would get up early on Sundays to drive to Wooster, have coffee with friends and attend church services.
Harold was kind hearted, generous and willing to help others. He made friends with all who knew him, and always made time to share a joke, talk NASCAR or chat about current events. He had an ornery streak and you could see it in his eyes just before he fed the dog a circus peanut or was about to tell a story that would make you laugh. He loved old westerns, old cars and old time country music. He enjoyed regularly dining out at Bob Evans in Wooster, where many of the staff took care of him like family. He also liked going out for coffee and a doughnut to talk with other veterans and friends.
He is survived by his daughter, Yvonne Bahr of Ashland, Ohio; grandchildren, Michelle Neuhauser of Copley, Ohio and Sheri Gast of Ashland, Ohio; and 3 great-grandchildren, Courtney, Cody and Emily. His parents and wife precede him in death. He was greatly loved and will be missed by all.
A private interment will take place at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman where military honors will be conducted at the convenience of the family. It was his previous wishes that there be no public services or visitation.
Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl. Memphis, TN 38105 or go to: www.stjude.org.
Custer-Glenn Funeral Home in Wooster is honored with serving the family.
Words of condolences may be shared with the family at: www.custerglenn.com.