Obituary: Todd W. Hablitzel

Todd W. Hablitzel, “The G.O.A.T.”, “The Man, The Myth, The Legend”, the larger-than-life and beloved Community Leader, who bravely battled pancreatic cancer with a positive attitude and a relentless commitment to live, passed away on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg. Todd was surrounded by his loving family. He was born September 9, 1966 in Port Clinton, OH to Charles and Jo Ann (Konieczny) Hablitzel, grew up and graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 1984. On November 19, 1994 he married the former Elizabeth Williams, and she survives.

Todd was a 4th generation owner of the Oak Harbor Hardware Store, where he spent countless hours helping the community with their various needs and solve their toughest of problems, always with a smile and a frequent dose of humor or uplifting words of advice. Todd’s knowledge of everything was rooted in his upbringing and he let experience be his guide. He had been known to share with his family, friends, and customers that all of his knowledge and skills were accumulated without a single day of college!

Todd’s family was his love. Though he spent many hours away from home, being the owner of a local business, he always found the time to be a husband and a father. He fought so hard to live so that he could watch his daughters be married and his son grow up and become a man. He was a man a faith and seemed to appreciate his many blessings during his most challenging times. He was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ, Oak Harbor where he was baptized and confirmed.

Todd always looked forward to discussing ‘the game’, any game of passionate interest to a family member, friend or customer. Todd’s enthusiasm for any team of the Oak Harbor Rockets was first and foremost. In addition, he always thrived with the success of the Browns, Buckeyes, and Indians, and took his lumps when it was a better day for fans of the Tigers, Wolverines, Ravens, or Steelers. Todd attended many games in person and especially enjoyed his trips to Indianapolis to watch the Colts during Hardware Show Weekends. Todd faced a number of challenges during his life but mainly kept things to himself and focused on the struggle of others around him. You could always count on seeing Todd with a smile on his face ready to help anyone in need.

Survivors include his wife of 29 years, Elizabeth “Beth” of Oak Harbor; children: Elyse (Seth Garcia) Hablitzel of North Ridgeville, OH, Sarah (Christian Aranda) Hablitzel of Elmore, OH, and Charlie Hablitzel of Oak Harbor; father Charles Hablitzel of Oak Harbor; siblings: Toni (Allan) Magsig of Woodville, OH, Tom (Jan) Hablitzel of Hudson, OH, and Traci (Kevin) Morgan of Perrysburg, OH; father & mother-in-law Leroy & Bonnie Williams; brothers-in-law: Don (Jill) Williams, Dan Williams, and David Williams; sister-in-law Becky (Thomas) Steen; nieces & nephews: Amy (Reid) Myers, Evan (Brooke) Hablitzel, Seth & Kylie Morgan, Peter & Kelli Magsig, Tim (Mary) Williams, Jessica (Arnauld) Hild, and Olivia Stubblefield; great-nieces & nephews: Noah & Landon Myers, Shiloh Hablitzel, Alaina & Anna Hild, Ava & Emerson Williams. He was preceded in death by his mother Jo Ann Hablitzel in 2002.

Visitation will be Sunday from 1-3 PM and Monday from 9 AM-8 PM at Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 301 N. Locust St., Oak Harbor, where the family will be present on Sunday from 1-3 PM and Monday from 2-8 PM.. Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at St. Paul United Church of Christ, 165 Toussaint St., Oak Harbor. Rev. Darryl Hamm will officiate, and interment will follow at Salem Township Union Cemetery, Oak Harbor. Following the services, friends and family are invited to a celebration of Todd’s life at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds.

Those who are planning on making a memorial contribution are asked to please consider the Jo Ann Hablitzel Scholarship Fund (through the Ottawa County Community Foundation), the Memorial Fund of St. Paul United Church of Christ, or Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.crosserpriesmanfuneralhome.com.

Source: Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home & Cremation Service