Ivan

Still going strong at 100
Childhood sweethearts celebrate Century birthdays together
By KRISTINA SMITH
Staff writer

PORT CLINTON - When Ivan Leutz blew out the candles on his 100th birthday cake Friday, he was celebrating more than a milestone age few people reach.

The day meant there were only five more days until his girlfriend of 17 years, who sat beside him in a wheelchair as he cut his cake, turns 100 as well.

Leutz, a resident at Edgewood Manor Care Center in Port Clinton, shared his party with constant-companion and high-school sweetheart Irene Sheerer of Catawba Island.

"We've known each other since we were six years old." Sheerer said. "It's been good."

The pair were classmates at Catawba Elementary School and became a couple year later, Sheerer said.

"We double-dated," she said. "I was dating a boy from Oak Harbor, and my girlfriend was with Ivan. The twist was I'd rather have been with Ivan."

Their relationship ended when Leutz, an Oak Harbor native, went to Toledo to become an electrician, said Leutz's nephew, Tim Scheel, 50, of Medina. Leutz married Scheel's aunt and lived on Put-in-Bay and in Elyria before retiring in Florida.

When his wife died, Leutz moved home and re-connected with Sheerer, Scheel said. The fiercely independent pair lived together in Sheerer's Catawba home without assistance until Scheel realized his uncle needed outside care.

Leutz moved into the nursing home in May. Despite having the typical ailments that come with advanced age, the couple is very healthy, Scheel said.

"He's got all his own teeth and his hair," Scheel said.

Sheerer is grateful she and Leutz aren't bed-ridden and dependent on medication.

"I keep saying to Ivan, 'We're so lucky,'" she said. "I look at all these Alzheimer's patients, and they don't know what they're doing."

Sheerer's talkative personality compliments Leutz, who speaks little. She visits Leutz almost every day, making his adjustment to the nursing home somewhat easier, Scheel said.

"It's been great that he has somebody like Irene." Scheel said. "She is faithful to the last."

Scheel, the closest relative to Leutz, lives 90 minutes from Port Clinton and can't drive up every time his uncle falls or needs medical attention. Having Sheerer always near to Leutz for support is invaluable, Scheel said.

During Sheerer's daily visits, the couple have lunch and talk, said Vickie Ireland, nursing home activities assistant. Leutz, a financial guru, is most interested in the stock market, and Sheerer shares stories about her great-grandfather building the first frame house on Catawba Island.

"If she doesn't come every day, he's really upset." Ireland said. "If she misses a day, she'll call him so he knows."

Sheerer arrives by 10 a.m., and Ireland often takes her home by 4:30 p.m., although Sheerer usually has Ireland stop Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner.

"Every day they touch their heads together and say good0bye," Ireland said.

The couple also shared some special moments during the party Friday.

The manager of Key Bank gave Leutz a piggy bank and a card with a fake $1 million bill in it. Instead of pocketing the treasure, Leutz gave it to Sheerer.

Meanwhile, nursing home residents, staff and friends wished each a happy birthday. Sheel's wife, Diane, 51, said she enjoyed seeing so many people wish Leutz and Sheerer well.

"At least they have each other," she said. "They're not growing old alone. That's romantic."

Originally published on February 25, 2006 in the Port Clinton News Herald.

Where It Fits: Ivan Leutz is the son of Oscar Leutz & Myrtle Long. Today Ivan would been 104.