Carl W. Schlenker Sr.

WAPAKONETA

Carl W. Schlenker Sr., 92, died at 3:25 a.m. Jan. 15, 2012, at The Gardens of Wapakoneta.

He was born May 16, 1919, in Wapakoneta, to John and Elizabeth Ochs Schlenker, who preceded him in death. On June 22, 1940, he married Mildred (Mid) Cook, who died Aug. 7, 1992.

Mr. Schlenker attended Buckland School and after the death of his father, at the age of 12, he began a farming career. His interest and passion for agriculture spanned his entire life. After his marriage, he began breeding purebred Holstein cattle and at one point had the highest-producing herd in Auglaize County. During this period, he was elected secretary of the Dairy Herd Improvement Association and helped organize the Auglaize County Holstein Association and served as its first president. Through the years, his farming operation was very diversified and included registered shorthorn cattle, a farrow-to-finish hog operation, egg production, grain and sheep. In the early 1960s he was recognized for having the highest commercial ewe flock in the state of Ohio. He helped organize the Wapakoneta Producers Livestock Association and served on its advisors board for many years. He also served many years as director and president of the Wapakoneta Farmers Grain Co.

In 1960, Mr. Schlenker was appointed to the U.S. Farm Policy Council under secretaries of agriculture Claude Wickard and Orville Freeman and served on the U.S. Farm Policy Organization conducting many farm panels throughout the Midwest. In 1961, he was chosen to speak at the Midwest Governor's Bread Basket Conference in Lincoln, Neb. He was president of the Auglaize County National Farmers Organization and state secretary for that organization. He was a charter member and Ohio director for the National Corn Growers Association for 10 years. In 1970, he was recruited to help organize and launch a farm program at WIMA radio where he then served five years as the farm director until his retirement. In 1972, while traveling in Europe, he was the featured speaker at the Vocational Agriculture Convention in West Germany. In the late 1980s, he served as the first president of the Ohio Grain Producers Association where he was recognized for his lifetime service to American agriculture and for always working for a better economic atmosphere for the American farmer.

After retiring from active farming, he and his wife participated in mission work, spending time in southern Mexico and he has served as president of the Wapakoneta Senior Citizens. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and playing cards with close friends and family. He was a member of the Ohio Farmers Union and Wapakoneta Senior Citizens and a lifelong member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Wapakoneta where he served on the church council for six years.

Survivors include two daughters, Mary Jo (Richard) Roth, of Wapakoneta, and Judith (Frederick) Platfoot, of Botkins; three sons, Carl Jr. (Peggy), Thomas (Patricia), and Chris (Deborah) Schlenker, all of Wapakoneta; 12 grandchildren, Pam (Easton) Loving, of Fork Union, Va., Keith Clements, Eric Clements, Bryan (Amy) Schlenker, Greg (Wendy) Schlenker, Emily Schlenker, Bryce Schlenker and Brayden Schlenker, all of Wapakoneta, Beth (Charlie) Henry, of Versailles, Lorie (Jason) Henline, of Spencerville, Tom (Holly) Platfoot, of Botkins, and Aaron (Jacque) Schlenker, of Marion, Iowa; 14 great-grandchildren, Samuel and Jacob Loving, Brooke, Alec, and Sydney Schlenker, Cale Henry, Jenna, Joshua, and Jenson Henline, Janel, Peyton and Caden Platfoot, and Jacob and Jonathan Schlenker; two sisters-in-law, Mary (Cook) Lepper and Evon (Knatz) Schlenker; and brother- and sister-in-law, Ernest and June Cook.

He was preceded in death by a brother, John Schlenker; a sister, Pearl Schiller; a brother-in-law, John Schiller; a son-in-law, Wayne Clements; brother- and sister-in-law, Sam and Betty Cook; brother-in-law, Bud Lepper; stepfather John Gibson; and two great-grandchildren, Aynsley Loving and Cole Platfoot.

Services will begin 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Wapakoneta. The Rev. Joe F. Pumphrey will officiate. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Garden, St. Marys.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Bayliff and Eley Funeral Home, Wapakoneta, and 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Gardens of Wapakoneta Activity Fund, St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Wapakoneta, or St. Rita's Hospice.

Condolences may be expressed at bayliffandeleyfh.com.