Our Staff

Walter Auxter

1919-2020

Walter, Walt, Mr. Auxter, Dad, Grandpa, GG Boppa - no matter what you called him, was a friend to all.  He died March 17, 2020, leaving us all a great legacy.  He is greatly missed, but his presence will always be found here at the funeral home.  He loved serving the community of Clyde and was honored to receive recognition for that on his 100th birthday, December 15, 2019.  Give rest unto your servants with your saints, O God.  Rest eternal, Grandpa.  We love you.

I graduated from Fremont Ross High School in 1938 and worked for the Ross Candy Company. After a few years I obtained a position at the Erie Proving Grounds, test proving guns. I registered with the State Board in 1941, but then was drafted into the Army. I served in the Army until 1945 and then returned to my job at the Proving Grounds. I served my apprenticeship in 1946-1948 with Mr. Mitchell and then went to Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science and graduated in 1950. After graduation I returned to Clyde and worked at the Mitchell Funeral Home. I purchased the funeral home in 1961 and sold it to my son and daughter-in-law in 1989. I still work visitations and funerals and enjoy helping-out around the funeral home. My wife of nearly 73 years, Mickey, died July 2018.  We always enjoyed spending time with our family. We have three children, five grandchildren, four great-granddaughters, and one great-grandson.

I am a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Clyde, National Funeral Director’s Association, Ohio Funeral Directors’ Association, Ohio Embalmers’ Association, American Legion Post 122 (past commander & life member), Clyde VFW #3343 (life member), DAV (life member), 40-8 1057 Sandusky County, Monticello Blue Lodge 244 F&AM, RAM Ch. 90, Scottish Rite Consistory of Toledo, Zenobia Shrine of Toledo, Legion of Honor of Toledo, Minute Men Firing Squad, retired member of the Board of Directors of the Clyde Savings Bank and a former member and past president of the Clyde Kiwanis Club (52 years).

Dean Auxter

Licensed Embalmer & Funeral Director

I graduated from Clyde High School in 1973, attended Findlay College until 1975, and graduated from Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1976. I served my apprenticeship with McFarland Funeral Home in Warren, Ohio and then returned to Clyde and worked with my father. In 1980 I married Melinda (Huston). We have two daughters: Hannah, a graduate of Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, now fully licensed and working with us at the Auxter Funeral Homes in Bellevue and Clyde; and Meredith, a graduate of Capital University in Columbus, who is an RN in Columbus.

I am a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Clyde, Ohio Embalmers’ Association, National Funeral Directors’ Association, American Society of Embalmers, Embalmer's Association of Cleveland, Clyde Eagles, Clyde Moose, Clyde VFW, Clyde Business & Professional Association (past president), Clyde Exchange Club (past president), Monticello Blue Lodge Clyde Chapter, Bellevue Council, Fremont Commandery, Bellevue Masonic Lodge, Zenobia Shrine, Sandusky County Shrine Club (past president), Bellevue Lions, Bellevue Elks, Clyde Fire Department since 1978, currently serving as a lieutenant on the department,  Sandusky County Firemen’s Assoc., Northwest Ohio Volunteer Firemen’s Assoc., Ohio State Firefighter's Association, and Four County Conservation. I have served as vice president of the Board of Trustees at the former St. Francis Health Care Centre in Green Springs and had served as a member of Leadership Sandusky County. I am currently serving as a board member for the Department of Public Health for Sandusky County.

Melinda Auxter

Licensed Funeral Director

I graduated from Margaretta High School in 1974, The Ohio State University in 1978 with a degree in Elementary Education, and then began teaching 6th grade at Western Reserve Schools in Wakeman, Ohio. In 1980 I married Dean Auxter. From 1980-1982, I was a substitute teacher in the Clyde School District. I then served my apprenticeship with Dean from 1982-1984 and obtained my funeral director’s license. I have two daughters: Hannah, a graduate of Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, now fully licensed and working with her family at the Auxter Funeral Homes in Bellevue and Clyde; and Meredith, a graduate of Capital University in Columbus, who is an RN in Columbus.

I am a member of the First United Methodist Church in Clyde, Clyde Business & Professional Association, Clyde Career Women, Bellevue Tourist Club, Bellevue Eagles Auxiliary, Clyde VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Clyde Firemen Ladies Auxiliary, and the Women of the Moose.

Hannah Auxter-Mapus

Licensed Embalmer & Funeral Director

Robert Frankfather

I graduated from Bellevue High School in 1965 and served our country in the Navy SeaBees from 1966-1969. On July 4, 1970, I returned home and married Ruth (Claus) and worked for Johnson Furnace/Armstrong in Bellevue until it closed in 2007.

Ruth and I live in Bellevue. We have two children and five grandchildren. We are members of Immaculate Conception Church. I am a member of the Bellevue VFW and Eagles. I enjoy  hunting, fishing, boating, skiing - anything that involves being outside.

James Anderson

1945-2019

Jimmy had a giant heart of gold.  He loved serving and helping others.  He died as a result of an auto accident while delivering warm meals to elderly shut-ins in June 2019.  He is greatly missed by our family and others in the Clyde community.  He was a great role model to future generations.  We will hold his memory in our hearts forever. Rest in peace, Jimmy.

William E. Clark

1928-2016

Mr. Clark was a treasured employee. He is greatly missed by our family and others in the Bellevue community. We enjoy hearing his former students' stories about him. He was a great role model to future generations. We will hold his memory in our hearts forever. Rest in peace, Mr. Clark.

D. Joseph Kerlin

I graduated from Vanguard and Clyde High School in 1974.  I had attended St. Mary's School through my 8th grade year.  I married Judy (Garvin) and we have a son, Joe and a granddaughter, Ella.

I'm a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Clyde.  I enjoy hunting, spending time outdoors, and anything Ella wants to do.