Lee N. Koenig

Lee N. Koenig, age 94 passed away on Jan 4 in Fremont, Oh.  Born on July 23, 1929 in Fremont, he was the only son of William and Clara Koenig.  A graduate with the Class of 1947 from Fremont Ross High School he finished 4^th in the medley relay and 6^th in the freestyle relay in the State Swimming Championships earning him a swimming scholarship to Bowling Green.

He graduated from Bowling Green in 1951 with a degree in Industrial Arts.  While swimming for Sam Cooper, he finished 4^th in the 200 yard backstroke and 1^st in the medley relay setting team records in both events and helping Bowling Green to a team championship in the Central Collegiate Swimming Championships.  In 1994, he was elected as a charter member of Bowling Green’s “Accomplished Swimming Alumnus”.

Following graduation, he joined the United States Navy attaining the rank of Lieutenant, experiencing memorable voyages through the Chesapeake Bay and to Cuba. He married Marion (Toni) McCullagh in 1951 and lived in Akron while serving in the Navy.  They moved to Fremont in 1954 where he started working for his dad at Crown Battery and eventually purchased it from him.  During the early years of Crown, it was truly a family business with all members of the family working including his dad, mother, sisters, brothers-in-law and Lee.  Along with his lifetime friends Jim Mason and Don Wensinger and a great supporting team, they grew Crown from a small regional manufacturer with 4 employees to a leading North American manufacturer with over 270 employees selling batteries in the United States and 16 foreign countries.

During this period, he served as President of both the Independent Battery Manufacturer’s Association and Battery Council International through which he gained knowledge and friendships that helped Crown grow and succeed.  In 1998 he sold Crown to a group of employees who have continued the Crown story.

Lee retired to Naples, FL and married Caryl Suchy in 2001 and is survived by children, Susan Koenig, Fremont, Brian Koenig, Elmore, and Amy Koenig, Bonita Springs, FL.  stepchildren, Mike (Annie) Suchy Taylorsville, KY, Rande Baker, Findlay, OH and Christy Bartley, Mobile, AL.  Grandchildren with which he enjoyed many great memories include Michelle Wyss, Conroe, TX, Keith (Angel) Gschwind, Gibsonburg, John (Caroline) Koenig, Milford, OH, Elizabeth Koenig, East Hampton, CT and Paul Koenig, Columbus.  He was also blessed with 5 Great-Grandchildren and 1 Great-Great Granddaughter. 

Preceding him in death were his parents, William and Clara Koenig, sisters, Louisa Bessire, Leonarda Smith and Ann Jacobi, daughter, Lois Koenig-DeRan, granddaughter, Kelli Anne DeRan, and daughter-in-law, Pamela Graver-Koenig.

Lee enjoyed boating and fishing in Lake Erie and spending time at his cottage on North Bass Island.  He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Fremont and continued swimming laps and golfing multiple times per week into last fall.  He has been involved with helping Fremont and Sandusky County through his family fund at the Sandusky County Community Foundation.

Visitation: Wednesday, January 10, 2024 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Wonderly Horvath Hanes Funeral Home and Crematory, 425 E State St., Fremont, OH.

Funeral service: Thursday, January 11, 2024; 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with a visitation one hour prior to the service.

A private burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery with military honors.

The family requests no flowers, and in lieu, donations can be made to the Fremont Area Athletic Association or the Sandusky County YMCA.