Eric Winterhalter, Class of 1959

Eric Winterhalter ’59 died December 1, 2022. He was born June 18, 1933, in Danville, Ohio, in the same farm house where he died. Eric was raised by his mother, the late Louise Winterhalter, and late aunt & uncle, Marie & Albert Winterhalter. They immigrated from Güttenbach, Germany for a better life in America.

Eric graduated from Danville High School, attended Notre Dame, served in the US Army, and then graduated from Otterbein College with a degree in Economics. At Otterbein he was on the track and field team, in Student Government/Senate, on the Tan & Cardinal staff and in the Zeta Phi (Zeta) fraternity.
During his time in the Army he had a distinguished career in the 3rd Armored Division at the rank of Sergeant. He worked at Buckeye Federal Saving and Loan for 22 years, ending as Vice President of Branch Operations before moving back to the farm. He served as a councilman in Gahanna in the 60s, a Union Township Trustee for 16 years, and the President of the Lions Club in Gahanna and later at the Downtown Columbus Lions Club. Eric enjoyed gardening, golf, newspapers, comedy and western shows, and especially enjoyed being a father and grandfather.

Eric is survived by his wife Patricia (Croyle) Winterhalter, and his children, Cheryl (Russell) Halsey, Dan (Tanya) Winterhalter, Mary ’96 (Josh) White, and Susan (Jeff) Decker. Also included are his grandchildren, Eric and Payton Halsey; Elizabeth, Hudson, Lucia, and Jacob White; and Elijah and Samuel Decker.