Jerome U. Barhorst

Jerome U. Barhorst age 77 of 46 E. Park St. Ft. Loramie, OH died on Sunday, July 17, 2022 at his residence, he was born at that same residence on April 14, 1945 to the late Paul A & Florence (Sommer) Barhorst. On November 15, 1969 he married Martha R. Heckman at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Osgood, OH , she proceeded him in death. He is survived by son Eric P. and Betsy (Kamin) Barhorst, Ft. Loramie, and daughter Teresa R. & Doug Grieshop, Maria Stein, grandchildren, Nicholas, Daniel & Lillian Barhorst, Haylie, Karlie & Averie Grieshop. He is also survived by step-brother, Joe & Joan Maier, Houston, OH, sisters & brothers in law Rita & Steve Monnin, Botkins, John Heckman, Clifton, VA, Jim Heckman, Ft. Recovery, Ann & Mike Kreitzer, Mesquite, NV, Mary & Jerry Siegrist, Sidney, Margie & Don Eilerman, Ft. Loramie, Joe & Joyce Heckman, Monroe, NJ, Bill & Mary Beth Heckman, Yorkshire, Kathy & John Geise, Sidney, David & Karen Heckman, Minster and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by a daughter Melissa Lynn, his parents, brother Daniel J. Barhorst, his in-laws Norbert & Amelia Heckman, sister-in-laws Alice Mae Heckman, Adele Heckman and Maruja Heckman. He was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church where he served as an usher, The Knights of St. John, Shelby County Right to Life, and a charter member of the Newport Sportsman Club. He graduated from Fort Loramie High School in 1963. Over his working years Jerome sold insurance, owned Jerome’s Menswear in Fort Loramie, worked for Fort Loramie Schools as a janitor and took pride in being the bus driver to and from his children’s sporting events, delivered newspapers with his son and finally retired in 2011 from the Shelby County Highway Department. Jerome joined the Fort Loramie Community Fire Company in 1968 and served as an active member of the department until his retirement in 2010. During those 42 years Jerome served his community as a firefighter, Lieutenant, Assistant Fire Chief and Fire Chief, a role he held for nearly 25 years. Jerome was also a member of the Shelby County Fire Department and The Ohio Fire Chief’s Association. In 2010 he was awarded the Shelby County Firefighters Association Lifetime Achievement Award and The Ohio Fire Educator Lifetime Achievement Award.  While it is evident that he wore many hats throughout his life, the one he wore most proudly was that of a supportive grandfather. He loved attending the many events in Marion Local to watch the Grieshop girls and Fort Loramie to watch the Barhorst kids. He had one Marion Local hat and one Fort Loramie hat that he wore interchangeably. You would be hard pressed to see a Grieshop or Barhorst participating in an event without their Grandpa Jerome in the stands. Jerome left a legacy of loving big, praying often and giving generously; his family hopes to maintain that legacy proudly.Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 Friday, July 22, 2022 at St. Michael Catholic Church with Rev. Jared Kohn officiating. Friends may call at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Minster from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday July 21 and from 9:00 to 10:00 AM on Friday July 22. Burial will take place in St. Michael Cemetery. In Lieu of Flowers the family wants donations to be made to The Elizabeth New Life Center, Shelby County Right to Life, or Radio Maria. Condolences may be made at www.hogenkampfh.com.