Service measured not by GOLD,
                           but by the GOLDEN RULE

Service measured not by GOLD,
          but by the GOLDEN RULE

330.262.7771

Our beloved Edgar Bruno Gertsch, 40, of Wooster – doting husband, father, son, brother, and friend – passed away unexpectedly from a sudden illness on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at Wooster Community Hospital.

Born March 19, 1982 in Puebla, Mexico to the proudest parents, Bruno and Alida Gertsch, Edgar was a kind, quirky, fun-loving soul who had the biggest heart and brightened the lives of everyone who knew him. He married the love of his life, Melissa Wengerd in 2014 in Wooster, Ohio – the city they adore and have since made home. Always down for an adventure, their marriage was filled with memorable travels, theme parties, game nights, beach vacations, and relaxing days in their treasured home. In 2019 they welcomed their son, Griffin, who brought boundless joy to Edgar’s life.

Edgar graduated from Furman University with a degree in History, though his true specialty was often found in the kitchen. From a very young age he had a passion for cuisine, always eager to try new foods like escargot, frog legs, or charales (‘snake’) tacos. His love for food and cooking was a lifelong pursuit, from perfecting his own hot sauce recipes to creating new delicious and flavorful dishes. Edgar found great happiness in hosting others and looked forward to weekly Sunday night dinners with family, fixing elaborate meals on his Blackstone grill. Edgar cooked like he lived life – sometimes messy, but always full of love and flavor.

His love of food transferred well to his new sales job at Hershey’s Ice Cream, which he really enjoyed and fulfilled with great pride. Edgar’s favorite job, however, was being a dad. He recently taught his son, Griffin (3), about human anatomy where he outshined us all in his memorization skills. Griffin will have the most wonderful memories of his father who loved him immeasurably.

Deeply missing Edgar are his wife, Melissa (Wengerd) Gertsch; son, Griffin; mother, Alida Gertsch; brother and sister-in-law, Oscar and Emily Gertsch; niece and nephew, Charlotte and Owen Gertsch; father- and mother-in-law, Stan and Linda Wengerd; sister-in-law, Lauren Wengerd; brother- and sister-in-law, Logan and Mackenna Wengerd; and so many friends who he loved and who loved him immensely. He was preceded in death earlier this year by his father, Bruno Gertsch, who we are sure was there to greet him with a warm embrace.

To know Edgar was to love him. Though no amount of time with him would have been enough, Edgar gave us the most incredible memories to last a million lifetimes. Oh, how we loved him. Salud!

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Best Western in Wooster, Ohio on Saturday, January 7th from 4-7pm with a prayer and brief message at 5pm.

McIntire, Bradham & Sleek, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com

41 Comments

  1. Melissa I was devastated to hear of Edgar’s passing. You and Griffin are in my prayers.

    Reply
  2. Meiissa Our family is saddened by those tragic news. You and Griffin are in the entire families continued prayers.

    Reply
  3. Bless those who mourn, eternal God, with the comfort of your love that they may face each new day with hope and the certainty that nothing can destroy the good that has been given. May their memories become joyful, their days enriched with friendship, and their lives encircled by your love. Amen

    Reply
  4. Our deepest condolences.

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  5. I am so sorry to hear the news of the passing of your husband Melissa. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Griffin. Reach out if we can help in any way.

    Reply
  6. Melissa, we are saddened to hear the news of Edgar’s sudden passing our thoughts and prayers are with you and the rest of the family.

    Reply
  7. Oh dear Melissa.. our hearts are broken for you and Griff. May you be surrounded by the love and comfort of you family and friends. Our deepest prayers are with you all.
    Love- Joyce and Tom Barker and family

    Reply
  8. Melissa words cannot express the shock and sadness I feel for you and Griffin! I am SO happy you found him! What a wonderful husband, father and gentlemen he was. Know that you and Griffin are in my thoughts and prayers.

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  9. We are so very sorry for your loss. Edgar was a dear friend at Furman, brother in PiKapp, and a bright light in every room he walked into. So many treasured stories from our college days feature Gertsch’s wit and mischief and our college years would have been less without him. He was one in a million. You and your sweet son are in our thoughts and prayers.

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  10. Oh my dear you and Griffin have our deepest sympathy. It is unimaginable the pain and loss you must be feeling and for that I will go to he who is stronger than all… I will pray that he wraps his loving arms around you both: that he carries you when you are too weak and that he helps you find your way knowing Edgar will not only be with you in spirit and heart but in the eyes of that blessed boy. May you find his sign, and you will, and know although he has left this earth he is still by your side in spirit. We are soo truly sorry Melissa.

    Reply
  11. My deepest sympathy Melissa and family. A friend of your Aunt Debs. You are all in my prayers.

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  12. My heartfelt sympathies for you and your son. Keeping you in my thoughts. What was an amazing person.

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  13. Melissa and Griffin, please accept my sincere condolences. This is just so tragic. My heart goes out to you and your extended family. Sending hugs and prayers.

    Reply
  14. My deepest condolences to you and your families.🙏🏻

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  15. Oh my sweet friend, I’m so very sorry to hear of your husbands passing. My deeepest condolences to you and Griffin.

    Reply
  16. Melissa we are so saddened to hear of Edgar’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Griffin.

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  17. Melissa and Griffen, may Edgar’s strength and smiling heart along with our dear God wrap in you in their comforting arms.

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  18. Dear Melissa. We’re so very sorry for your loss. May God give you comfort during this crushing loss. We will keep you and your family in our prayers
    Your neighbors
    Richard and Margie Jankov

    Reply
  19. Melissa-You dear sweet soul, I am so heartbroken to hear of your and Griffie’s loss. I am so, so sorry.

    Reply
  20. He is in a place that comfort and peace only the loved ones that have gone home know he will be missed

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  21. Roland and I are so very sorry for the loss of Edgar. Such a shock. You and your family have our deepest sympathy. May God give you strength . Love to you all.

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  22. So sorry for your loss. My husband and I will pray for you and your son for peace and for a restful soul.

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  23. Alida and Family, words can not express the sadness we feel for all of you with the news of Edgar’s untimely passing. Please know we have him and you in our prayers and thoughts during this most difficult time.

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  24. From the entire Mingay/McLaughlin crew we are deeply saddened for you guys. His spirit will live on. 💗

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  25. Alida my heart ♥ feels your sorrow but you and Edgar’s wife need to keep in your hearts is the wonderful memories that you have, because he will always be with there with you, just the beautiful smile will carry you on, may you all feel comfort and peace

    Reply
  26. Alida, No puedo imaginar el dolor por el cual esta usted pasando, pero yo se que nuestro Padre Celestial, la comprende a la perfección, ya que el experimento el dolor de ver a su hijo sufrir hasta la muerte, por amor a nosotros, el nos ama!!, y a pesar de todo el dolor, estoy segura que están todos ustedes rodeados de ángeles que les reconfortan, Nuestro Señor les dará las fuerzas y sobre todo la esperanza que nos volveremos a ver con nuestros seres queridos cuando Jesús nuestro Salvador regrese a esta tierra, así podremos darnos una vez más ése abrazo que ahora añoramos. Y lo más importante, que ya no nos separaremos nunca más. De todo corazón, mis mas sinceras condolencias. Dios bendiga a cada miembro de la familia. Y mis oraciones para con ustedes.

    Reply
  27. Ali, Melissa, Oscar, Griffin: Me uno a su dolor y les mando mucha fuerza para sopirtar este dolor tan tan grande. Los abrazo con todo mi corazón y cariño.⁹

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  28. I am so incredibly sorry for your loss and am sending my prayers and support from Boston. He would always light up a room with good cheer and a smile throughout our Furman days.

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  29. Alida quería , Oscar y Melissa, sabemos que el dolor qué hay en cada corazón es muy grande, pero también sabemos que Los Ángeles del cielo están con Ustedes, Nuestro Padre Celestial tiene el control de todo y los llenará de valor para afrontar esa pena tan fuerte y llenará ese vacío qué hay en su corazones.
    Quisiera extenderme más , pero no hay palabras que puedan aliviar esa pena.

    Nuestras mas sinceras condolencias.para toda la familia.

    Reply
  30. Gertsch and Wengerd Families, I want to send my deepest condolences for your loss. Edgar was a fantastic person who welcomed everyone he met with open arms. He was a hilarious and fun soul and he will be missed immeasurably. I am beyond grateful to know him. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers and I wish you all healing during this difficult time.

    Reply
  31. I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for you, Griffin and your family at this difficult time.

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  32. Alida y familia, no hay palabras que puedan consolarlos en estos momentos. Le pedimos a Dios que les de mucha fuerza y sepan que tienen muchos amigos y familia acompañandolos aunque sea a la distancia.

    Reply
  33. George and I are so saddened and shocked by Edgar’s passing. Out sincerest condolences to Melissa, Griffin, Alida, Oscar and all his many loved ones and friends. You are all in our prayers to find comfort during this most difficult time!

    Reply
  34. Melissa,
    I am so sorry to hear this. You and your son are in my prayers.
    Your former coworker,

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  35. Melissa, I am so so sorry for this unbelievably heartbreaking loss. I can’t imagine how excruciating and extremely hard it must be. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your sweet boy. You are amazing and strong. God bless you and your family and give you comfort and may Edgar be watching over you every moment of every day.

    Reply
  36. Melissa,

    My heart goes out to you and Griffin in this devastating loss. I am so sorry for your pain. Know you two are in my thoughts and prayers

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  37. Oh Melissa, we worked together in Columbus, I mean we knew of each other. I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. I will keep you and your son in my thoughts and prayers.

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  38. Melissa I am so sorry to hear about your husband .I want u to no I’m thinking and praying for you and the little one.i love you !! I’m so sorry .carole

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  39. I’m sorry for your loss. Edgar was truly one of a kind, and I’m very saddened to hear this news. My heart goes out to the Gertsch family.

    Reply
  40. I worked with Edgar years ago at H.T. Hackney. Edgar was always a reliable source for questions I had and a very helpful person. He was kind, inviting and easy to talk with. Edgar was a good person. I’m so sorry for your loss of such a wonderful human. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Reply
  41. My heart goes out to the Gertsch family. I was fortunate to have been friends with Edgar in high school. From the inspiring words above, I am reminded of the incredible person. He was blessed with endless positivity, and lifted up everyone who found themselves in his company. His extended Spartanburg family conveys their deepest condolences for your recent losses. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.

    Reply

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