Obituaries

James R. Westerhold

October 11, 2025

James R Westerhold, age 93, of Sandusky and formerly Norwalk, passed away Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Providence Care Center.

He was born February 23, 1932, in Sandusky to Andrew and Sophia (Winterhalter) Westerhold.  He was a 1950 graduate of St. Mary Catholic School also working for the family business, Smith Hardware Store.  He played on the first undefeated basketball team at Sandusky St. Mary’s in 1950, and played in the 1957 World’s slow pitch tournament.  He served in the US Air Force from 1951 until 1954 and served two years in Germany.  Returning to work with his family, and also managing Sandusky’s slow pitch team from 1958-1962.  Jim moved to Norwalk in 1962 and was the first employee hired in at WLKR Radio in Norwalk. In 1979 he became a major shareholder and purchased the AM/ FM radio station, forming Firelands Broadcasting, Inc.  He later sold the business in 1997 and lived in Arizona, returning to Norwalk each year until moving back to Norwalk in 2010.  He enjoyed golfing and raising horses, which he owned Amish wagons for all to ride in Ohio and Arizona, 1988-1997. Sports was his life and his hobby and enjoyed golfing and raising horses.

Jim was President and General Manager of Firelands Broadcasting; serving as Ohio’s only Independent County Commissioner in Huron County, 1983-1990; President for the Huron County AAA 1975-1977, merging with Cleveland to become Ohio Motorist AAA and served 25 years as a Board Trustee; Member and officer in the Sandusky Knights of Columbus Council 546, serving as Grand Knight and Financial Secretary, 1957-1977; President of the Catholic High School Athletic Federation for St. Mary’s School, 1955-1957; organized the Sandusky slow pitch league in 1958; Board member of the Huron County Mental Health, Norwalk Kiwanis, Red Cross, Norwalk Salvation Army, and Huron County Humane Society; Past President of the Norwalk Area Chamber of Commerce, 1965-1966 where he was instrumental in assisting West Baking and Saginaw Wire in coming to Norwalk; honored with the P.T. Garcia award for community service, 1966 and Hall of Fame in 2014 at St. Mary High School, Sandusky.

In radio broadcasting, he enjoyed covering sports, especially the Cleveland Indians for over 35 years and attending spring training in Arizona and Florida, beginning in 1982.  While covering the events he met and became personal friends with many athletes, coaches and Hall of Fame recipients.  He enjoyed taking area fans to Bengals games for 25 years, sitting in the Bengals Box Seats along with the Browns and Indians, interviewing athletes on the field and in the clubhouse.  During his years of ownership, he helped numerous organizations, clubs, and groups with their fundraising events.  He had over 2800 interviews recorded during Spring Training in his 32 years of radio.

He was chairman of three well-attended banquets in Huron County for honorees such as Senator Young, Governor Rhodes and Paul Brown.  He was also an announcer at the Sandusky Speedway from 1971-1977, and other numerous sporting events.  Jim was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Norwalk Eagles and past member of Rockwell Trout Club; and life member of the Sandusky AM Vets and VFW.

He is survived by his sons, Andrew J. Westerhold and John F. (Sarah) Westerhold; grandchildren, Ryan and Zack Juhre; and great grandson, Danny Juhre; nieces and nephews; special friend, Bill Hubans; and compassionate caregiver, Jessie Williams.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Patricia (Rupp) Westerhold; his daughter, Marie Juhre; brothers, Rolland and Charles Westerhold; sisters, Virginia Ebert and Murita Ott.

A graveside committal service will be held 11:30 A.M. Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the Calvary Cemetery chapel in Sandusky with Fr. Jim Brown officiating, where military honors will be provided.

Memorial contributions may be sent to St. Paul Catholic Church, 91 E. Main Street, Norwalk, OH 44857.

James R. Westerhold

October 11, 2025

James R Westerhold, age 93, of Sandusky and formerly Norwalk, passed away Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Providence Care Center.

He was born February 23, 1932, in Sandusky to Andrew and Sophia (Winterhalter) Westerhold.  He was a 1950 graduate of St. Mary Catholic School also working for the family business, Smith Hardware Store.  He played on the first undefeated basketball team at Sandusky St. Mary’s in 1950, and played in the 1957 World’s slow pitch tournament.  He served in the US Air Force from 1951 until 1954 and served two years in Germany.  Returning to work with his family, and also managing Sandusky’s slow pitch team from 1958-1962.  Jim moved to Norwalk in 1962 and was the first employee hired in at WLKR Radio in Norwalk. In 1979 he became a major shareholder and purchased the AM/ FM radio station, forming Firelands Broadcasting, Inc.  He later sold the business in 1997 and lived in Arizona, returning to Norwalk each year until moving back to Norwalk in 2010.  He enjoyed golfing and raising horses, which he owned Amish wagons for all to ride in Ohio and Arizona, 1988-1997. Sports was his life and his hobby and enjoyed golfing and raising horses.

Jim was President and General Manager of Firelands Broadcasting; serving as Ohio’s only Independent County Commissioner in Huron County, 1983-1990; President for the Huron County AAA 1975-1977, merging with Cleveland to become Ohio Motorist AAA and served 25 years as a Board Trustee; Member and officer in the Sandusky Knights of Columbus Council 546, serving as Grand Knight and Financial Secretary, 1957-1977; President of the Catholic High School Athletic Federation for St. Mary’s School, 1955-1957; organized the Sandusky slow pitch league in 1958; Board member of the Huron County Mental Health, Norwalk Kiwanis, Red Cross, Norwalk Salvation Army, and Huron County Humane Society; Past President of the Norwalk Area Chamber of Commerce, 1965-1966 where he was instrumental in assisting West Baking and Saginaw Wire in coming to Norwalk; honored with the P.T. Garcia award for community service, 1966 and Hall of Fame in 2014 at St. Mary High School, Sandusky.

In radio broadcasting, he enjoyed covering sports, especially the Cleveland Indians for over 35 years and attending spring training in Arizona and Florida, beginning in 1982.  While covering the events he met and became personal friends with many athletes, coaches and Hall of Fame recipients.  He enjoyed taking area fans to Bengals games for 25 years, sitting in the Bengals Box Seats along with the Browns and Indians, interviewing athletes on the field and in the clubhouse.  During his years of ownership, he helped numerous organizations, clubs, and groups with their fundraising events.  He had over 2800 interviews recorded during Spring Training in his 32 years of radio.

He was chairman of three well-attended banquets in Huron County for honorees such as Senator Young, Governor Rhodes and Paul Brown.  He was also an announcer at the Sandusky Speedway from 1971-1977, and other numerous sporting events.  Jim was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Norwalk Eagles and past member of Rockwell Trout Club; and life member of the Sandusky AM Vets and VFW.

He is survived by his sons, Andrew J. Westerhold and John F. (Sarah) Westerhold; grandchildren, Ryan and Zack Juhre; and great grandson, Danny Juhre; nieces and nephews; special friend, Bill Hubans; and compassionate caregiver, Jessie Williams.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Patricia (Rupp) Westerhold; his daughter, Marie Juhre; brothers, Rolland and Charles Westerhold; sisters, Virginia Ebert and Murita Ott.

A graveside committal service will be held 11:30 A.M. Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the Calvary Cemetery chapel in Sandusky with Fr. Jim Brown officiating, where military honors will be provided.

Memorial contributions may be sent to St. Paul Catholic Church, 91 E. Main Street, Norwalk, OH 44857.

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James R. Westerhold

October 11, 2025

James R Westerhold, age 93, of Sandusky and formerly Norwalk, passed away Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Providence Care Center.

He was born February 23, 1932, in Sandusky to Andrew and Sophia (Winterhalter) Westerhold.  He was a 1950 graduate of St. Mary Catholic School also working for the family business, Smith Hardware Store.  He played on the first undefeated basketball team at Sandusky St. Mary’s in 1950, and played in the 1957 World’s slow pitch tournament.  He served in the US Air Force from 1951 until 1954 and served two years in Germany.  Returning to work with his family, and also managing Sandusky’s slow pitch team from 1958-1962.  Jim moved to Norwalk in 1962 and was the first employee hired in at WLKR Radio in Norwalk. In 1979 he became a major shareholder and purchased the AM/ FM radio station, forming Firelands Broadcasting, Inc.  He later sold the business in 1997 and lived in Arizona, returning to Norwalk each year until moving back to Norwalk in 2010.  He enjoyed golfing and raising horses, which he owned Amish wagons for all to ride in Ohio and Arizona, 1988-1997. Sports was his life and his hobby and enjoyed golfing and raising horses.

Jim was President and General Manager of Firelands Broadcasting; serving as Ohio’s only Independent County Commissioner in Huron County, 1983-1990; President for the Huron County AAA 1975-1977, merging with Cleveland to become Ohio Motorist AAA and served 25 years as a Board Trustee; Member and officer in the Sandusky Knights of Columbus Council 546, serving as Grand Knight and Financial Secretary, 1957-1977; President of the Catholic High School Athletic Federation for St. Mary’s School, 1955-1957; organized the Sandusky slow pitch league in 1958; Board member of the Huron County Mental Health, Norwalk Kiwanis, Red Cross, Norwalk Salvation Army, and Huron County Humane Society; Past President of the Norwalk Area Chamber of Commerce, 1965-1966 where he was instrumental in assisting West Baking and Saginaw Wire in coming to Norwalk; honored with the P.T. Garcia award for community service, 1966 and Hall of Fame in 2014 at St. Mary High School, Sandusky.

In radio broadcasting, he enjoyed covering sports, especially the Cleveland Indians for over 35 years and attending spring training in Arizona and Florida, beginning in 1982.  While covering the events he met and became personal friends with many athletes, coaches and Hall of Fame recipients.  He enjoyed taking area fans to Bengals games for 25 years, sitting in the Bengals Box Seats along with the Browns and Indians, interviewing athletes on the field and in the clubhouse.  During his years of ownership, he helped numerous organizations, clubs, and groups with their fundraising events.  He had over 2800 interviews recorded during Spring Training in his 32 years of radio.

He was chairman of three well-attended banquets in Huron County for honorees such as Senator Young, Governor Rhodes and Paul Brown.  He was also an announcer at the Sandusky Speedway from 1971-1977, and other numerous sporting events.  Jim was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Norwalk Eagles and past member of Rockwell Trout Club; and life member of the Sandusky AM Vets and VFW.

He is survived by his sons, Andrew J. Westerhold and John F. (Sarah) Westerhold; grandchildren, Ryan and Zack Juhre; and great grandson, Danny Juhre; nieces and nephews; special friend, Bill Hubans; and compassionate caregiver, Jessie Williams.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Patricia (Rupp) Westerhold; his daughter, Marie Juhre; brothers, Rolland and Charles Westerhold; sisters, Virginia Ebert and Murita Ott.

A graveside committal service will be held 11:30 A.M. Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the Calvary Cemetery chapel in Sandusky with Fr. Jim Brown officiating, where military honors will be provided.

Memorial contributions may be sent to St. Paul Catholic Church, 91 E. Main Street, Norwalk, OH 44857.

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