Thomas “Big Tom” Edward Hertzfeld, 79, died Friday, February 24, 2017.
He served as president of Hertzfeld Poultry Farms and was the recipient of the Ohio Poultry Association’s 2015 Golden Egg Award, which is given to individuals who have made a significant contribution to Ohio’s egg, chicken and turkey communities.
Hertzfeld was born December 6, 1937, in Waterville, Ohio, to Clarence and Alice Hertzfeld, the second of nine children.
Hertzfeld lived in Waterville his entire life and graduated from Anthony Wayne High School in 1955. He was Commissioner of the Anthony Wayne Youth League Sports and was inducted into the Anthony Wayne Hall of Fame in 2011 for his lifetime of service to the school district. He was also an Army veteran.
Hertzfeld married Marilyn (Swartz) Hertzfeld on July 16, 1960, and the two of them had 8 children.
He enjoyed camping, spending time with family, Notre Dame football, watching his grandchildren in their sports, sitting by the fire with family, hiking, Cedar Point, Elvis, “Ganpa Park,” and teaching his grandchildren how to (illegally) drive down Schadel Road. Another great passion of his was the annual “Hertzfeld Fireworks Show” that he put on every Fourth of July for friends, family, and even random people who decided to pull off to the side of the road.
In addition to his parents, Hertzfeld was preceded in death by his daughter, Tara Hertzfeld; grandson, Trevor Hertzfeld; sister and brother-in-law, Diane and Richard Heuerman; and brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Natalie Hertzfeld.
Hertzfeld is survived by his wife; children, Debbie (Gil) Pantel, Thomas (Debbie) Hertzfeld Jr., Todd (Bev) Hertzfeld, Brad (Beth) Hertzfeld, Samara (Len) Mayer, Dawn (Joe) Fritscher and Shawn (Kira) Hertzfeld; siblings, Robert (Marcia) Hertzfeld, Philip (Jackie) Hertzfeld, Barbara (Eugene) Heising, David (Janet) Hertzfeld, Clarence (Kathy) Hertzfeld and William (Leslie) Hertzfeld; 18 grandchildren; and 4 great- grandchildren.
Visitation and services were held in late February in Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Anthony Wayne High School Athletic Department or to Hospice of Northwest Ohio.
