Harold "Bud" Nitschke, Jr.

Harold C. “Bud” Nitschke, Jr. , devoted husband, father and grandfather went home to be with the Lord, and his beloved wife Jane, on Demeber 20,2023, after a brief illness.  He was a lifelong resident of Fremont, Ohio and a winter resident of Leesburg, Florida.
Bud was born to Harold C. Nitschke, Sr. and Ethel (Baker) Nitschke of Fremont, Ohio.  He is preceded in death by his loving wife Jane H. (Rathge) Nitschke, his parents, sister Eleanor Lutes of California, and brothers John and Russell Nitschke, both of Fremont, Ohio.  He is survived by daughter, Kelly (David) Campbell of Fremont, Ohio, grandson, Graham Campbell of Bowling Green, Ohio, granddaughter Lilian Campbell of Nashville, Tennessee and Jessie (Bailey) Mezinger of Fremont, Ohio.  
Bud was a 1951 graduate of Fremont Ross High School.  He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, from 1952-1956, aboard two aircraft carriers, the U.S.S. Bennington and the U.S.S. Valley Forge.  After the Navy, he went on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Bowling Green State University in 1960 and a Master’s Degree in Education from Bowling Green State University in 1965.  He began his career in education as a history teacher at Fremont Ross High School and then worked as a guidance counselor at Fremont Junior High School, where he retired from in 1984.  After retiring from education, he worked as a child protective services worker at Erie County Job and Family Services and then a truancy officer for Erie County Juvenile Court.   
In 1984, Bud married the love of his life, Jane H. (Rathge) Nitschke whom he remained devoted to until she passed on August 16, 2023.  He was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing on his boat, whether on Lake Erie or on the lakes of Central Florida and he enjoyed sharing this hobby with Jane and his grandchildren.  Bud was a hard-working, reliable and kind, man of integrity who devoted his life to serving others.  He was loyal and fiercely independent and made wonderful use of his ninety years that he was given on this earth.  He will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be held on Friday, December 22, 2023 from 11:00am – 1:00pm at Wonderly Horvath Hanes Funeral Home 425 East State Street, Fremont, Ohio, with a brief service following the viewing.  Burial with military honors to follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Fremont, Ohio.
Memorials can be made to Sandusky County Humane Society, Wounded Warrior Project or Another Chance Animal Sanctuary in Clyde OH.