William G. Cronin

William “Bill” Gerard Cronin, 97, of Fremont, OH died peacefully on Friday, December 15, 2023 at Birchaven Village, Findlay OH.  He was born on October 9, 1926 in Fremont, OH to the late Walter and Dorothy (Gabel) Cronin.  Bill married his beautiful wife Gretchen Nims (Sweet) Cronin on June 26, 1954, and they shared 59 years together before she preceded him in death on December 16, 2013.

Bill was a 1944 graduate of St. Joseph High School, and later graduated from the Toledo Barber College.  Bill was the owner of Bill’s Barber Shop until his retirement on December 21, 2018 after 62 years of serving the Fremont community as a barber.  He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, serving as an usher for over 30 years, a life member of the Fremont Elks Lodge, and was honored by the Sandusky County Commissioners with a Proclamation for his service to the community.  Bill enjoyed traveling with his wife and their dear friends on many cruises, and was an avid Cleveland Browns, Guardians, Ohio State Buckeyes, and Notre Dame fan, rarely missing a game on TV.

Bill was especially proud of his family. He dearly loved spending time with Gretchen, his three daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brother Bob, sister Betty, nieces, nephews, lifelong barber customers.  Bill could be found daily at the YMCA walking and drinking coffee with his workout friends.

Bill will be lovingly remembered by his children, Peggy (Philip) Havens of Findlay, OH, Patricia Cronin of Arlington Heights, IL, Pamela (Michael) Black of Maumee, OH; seven grandchildren, Julie (Skip) Bourdo, Karen (Matt) Kireker, Kelly (Joseph) Madich, Jacob (Audrey) Havens, Emily (Kyle) Aranyosi, Evan Black, and Erica Black; ten great-grandchildren, Jack, Kate, Patrick, Evie, Luke, Brooks, James, Wesley, Abigail, Avery, and sister-in-law, Helen Cominsky.  In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by siblings Elizabeth “Betty” Sheehan and Robert Cronin, sisters-in-law, Donna Cronin and Evelyn Sweet, and brothers-in-law, Theodore Sheehan, Robert Cominsky, Joseph Sweet and John “Jack” Sweet.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, from 4:00-7:00 pm at Wonderly Horvath-Hanes Funeral Home, 425 E. State Street, Fremont.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 550 Smith Rd., Fremont, OH 43420. 

Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Fremont.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family would be grateful that memorial contributions be made to YMCA of Sandusky County, 1000 North St., Fremont, OH 43420 or Sacred Heart Church.  Please note William Cronin in the memo-line.