**UPDATE** The Wives of Oscar Leutz

I have new information regarding Oscar Leutz and his four wives.  If you need a refresher, the previous update can be found here.  I have recently come across some information regarding wife #1, Myrtle Long.  In fact I have a fair bit of information thanks to a very beautifully written obituary. 

Death of Mrs. Oscar Leutz 

Mrs. Myrtle Long Leutz, second daughter of Mr and Mrs. Edwin Long, of Toledo, was born near Elmore, January 1st, 1888, was married to Oscar Leutz, Dec. 10th, 1904, and died at her home in Oak Harbor, on Oct. 12th, 1907, after an illness of only one day.  She leaves a husband, son, father, mother, two sisters and two brothers, besides a host of other relatives and friends, to mourn her untimely departure.  

Very early in life, she united with the Second Baptist church of Toledo and remained a faithful member of that organization.  She was a member of the Christian Sunday School, of Oak Harbor, also of the Ladies' Aid society of that church. 

The funeral, Tuesday, was from the Christian church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. C. L. Morrison.  The floral emblems were numerous and beautiful, mutely testifying of the love of the living for the dead. 

The fair young mother with her infant daughter, which died at birth, resting peacefully on her quiet breast, was indeed a touching sight, and the large concourse of sympathizing friends mingled their tears with those of the desolate husband.  Only the tender, softening hand of Time, and the hope to "Some day greet with pleasure, the dear ones waiting there," can console him. 

Extra special shout out to Uncle Bob who thought she'd died in child birth with her son, Ivan.  The dates didn't line up but I just assume Uncle Bob didn't know she'd had another baby, especially so close to the birth of her son.  The babies were about 1 year and 7 months apart.  What a tiny little fella to lose his momma.  Also, for those of you that didn't do the math, Oscar married Myrtle when she was 16 and buried her at 19.  I'm so glad to finally be able to add more information regarding this young woman to the tree and help her short life be remembered in some fashion.   

Where it fits:  Oscar Leutz is the son of Gustav and Mary (Washa) Leutz.  This makes him the brother of Leon Leutz who was the father of Mary Cary (Leutz) Rudes.    

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.

Oscar Leutz & Clara Newton

Uncle Bob identified this picture for me and confirmed the names there were on the back. Even though some of these pictures are labeled I like confirming the identities by some other means just to make sure. It also leaves the door open for stories. :-) This is a picture of Oscar Leutz, Clara Newton Leutz and Ivan Leutz. Clara Newton is the second wife of Oscar Leutz. [For more details check out 'The Wives of Oscar Leutz']

Timeframe: We are starting out with a very narrow timeframe on this one and seeing if we can knock it down a little. Oscar and Clara were married in 1909 (their anniversary would be tomorrow). At the time of their marriage, Ivan was already three. Clara died in the March of 1919 due to complications with pneumonia and influenza, she was pregnant at the time. Thus ended their marriage. So, this picture was taken between January 25, 1909 and March 7, 1919. Since Ivan looks much older then three I am guessing it was taken between 1914 and 1919 making him between eight and twelve. I am leaning closer to the 1914 mark as he looks rather young to be twelve.

Where It Fits: Oscar is the son of Gustav Leutz & Mary Washa. He is the brother of Myrtle, Lorenz, Leon & Berlin. This makes Oscar the uncle of Bethel Madison, Mary Cary Rudes, Robert Leutz, A.J. Leutz, Beetrice Myerholtz & Monabell Garner. Clara is the daughter of Miles Newton and Lorania Stevens. Ivan is the son of Oscar Leutz and Myrtle Long. Oscar was also the father of Grace.