Gerald Hoeltzel

A Celebration of Life for Gerald E. Hoeltzel, age 88 years, of Enid, will be 10:00 am, Saturday, February 11, 2023 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Enid, Oklahoma, with Pastor David Reber, Jr. officiating. Burial with military honors provided by the United States Army will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Enid, under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday, February 10, 2023.

Gerald was born on the farm in Hillsdale, Oklahoma to Albert and Sadie (Cunningham) Hoeltzel on December 17, 1934, and passed away Tuesday, February 7, 2023, with his family at his side.

To his last day, “home” meant this small farm where his life humbly began. He was baptized January 20, 1935 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and was also confirmed in his faith there on March 21, 1948.

Gerald attended elementary school at Hillsdale where he and his sidekick, Birdie Dale, engaged in Tom Sawyer worthy antics. He graduated from Hillsdale High School in 1952. He then attended Oklahoma City University on basketball scholarship before transferring to Phillips University in Enid where he played basketball and baseball for the Haymakers. At Phillips, Gerald earned Little All-American honors for his efforts on the hardwood. He attained a degree from Phillips University in 1957 in Geology. While at Phillips, he met and married Mary Ann Broome. Their first child, Mickey was born in December 1957.

Gerald then served in the U.S. Army, stationed mostly in Munich, Germany. He had the opportunity to showcase his athleticism there as well, playing basketball, baseball and football.

Upon return from military service, Gerald answered the high calling to become a teacher, coach and educational leader. A calling to which he dedicated his life. The young family set out for Freedom, Oklahoma. Gerald taught science and coached several sports. One of his proudest coaching achievements occurred when his Freedom Eagles won the state championship in football in 1961. Earlier that year in August 1961, the family welcomed second child, Roger.

Remaining in the panhandle, Gerald taught and coached at Tyrone, Oklahoma for several years and served as High School Principal before becoming Superintendent and committing to a role in educational leadership that would define the rest of his career. Before leaving Tyrone, daughter Sherry joined the family.

While teaching and coaching in these early years he attended graduate school and earned a Master’s degree in Education from Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Later, he also did post-graduate work at Oklahoma State University.

Gerald then served as Superintendent of Public Schools at Covington-Douglas from 1969-1982, Watonga Public Schools from 1982-1988, and later at Waukomis Public School In 1988, Gerald accepted an appointment from Governor Bellmon to serve as State Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of Oklahoma.

Gerald continued to serve in a several educator roles including Adjunct Professor at his alma mater Phillips University, Educational Consultant with Barlow and Associates, interim Superintendent at Geary Public Schools and Muskogee Public Schools, and as Director of the Garfield County Interlocal Cooperative, an organization he founded to serve special needs and at-risk students throughout Garfield County.

He not only championed students but also his fellow educators, working to develop programs that recognized excellence in teaching. He served on many boards and committees that sought to better education in Oklahoma. Some of his most rewarding work of this type included serving on the State Board of Education, the Teacher Retirement System, Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, Oklahoma Curriculum Improvement Committee, Oklahoma Commission of Educational Leadership.

While he was teacher, coach and mentor to so many, he was, to his children and grandchildren a constant source of support and encouragement. He loved watching his grandchildren participate in all their activities. He missed very few ballgames, concerts or programs, often driving long distances to show his support.

After retirement, Gerald and Mary Ann settled in Enid not far from the farm. Although he never really stopped being a farmer, Gerald enjoyed a return to working the land in earnest for a time in his retirement. He also volunteered at Bass Baptist Hospital until a year or so ago. Gerald always emphasized that education was the most important, but he also loved sports and had a passion for baseball. He was the proud owner of one share of the Green Bay Packers and was a New York Yankee Fan to the end. Although his Yankees did not bring home a World Championship this past year, he watched every playoff game.

Gerald is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Sadie Hoeltzel and nephew, Erin Logan. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary Ann Hoeltzel, of Enid; three children, Mickey Hoeltzel of Carrier, OK; Roger Hoeltzel and wife Sherilyn, of Fairview, OK; Sherry Schallner and husband Jay, of Oklahoma City: two sisters, Velma June Bone, of Enid, OK; Lila Ann Logan-Jansonius and husband Gary, of Lahoma, Ok; seven grandchildren; Todd Hoeltzel, Chelsea Hoeltzel, Kelsea Meyers, Charlea Cope, Kaylea Hoeltzel, Alexanne Schallner and T.J. Schallner; eight great-grandchildren; and a niece, Lisa Roussell, of Maryland.

Memorial contributions in Gerald’s name may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran School or the Hillsdale Christian School with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.

Condolences can be made, memories shared and services viewed online at www.ladusauevans.com.