Henry S. "Hank" Elchert, 77, of New Riegel, passed away on Monday, January 27, 2025 at Fox Run Manor, Findlay.

He was born January 30, 1947, in Tiffin, to George H. and Cecilia M. (Boes) Elchert.  On July 05, 1969, in St. Mary Catholic Church, Tiffin, he married Patricia Keefe after meeting on a blind date on a New Riegel FFA hayride.

Hank is survived by his wife, Patricia A. "Pat" Elchert of New Riegel; daughter, Connie Bustamante of Findlay; son, Rodney (Sara) Elchert of New Riegel; and three granddaughters, Nicole, Ashley and Brittany.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Hank was a 1965 high school graduate of New Riegel local schools, where he was very active in the Varsity Club, National Honor Society, F.F.A. and his Catholic faith.  During his senior year, he was awarded First Team All-Conference basketball player.  He was known to be one of Father Hoying's favorite Mass servers.

In June of 1969, he graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education.  Hank taught Vocational Agriculture Education in Allen County at Allen East Schools for seven and half years.  Then for eight years he was a grain and livestock farmer South of Lima, Ohio.  In 1979, Hank was awarded the Northwest Ohio Young Farmers Association State and Area Swine award.  When Sentinel Career opened in 1985, he was hired to teach computer accounting and adult farm management, and moved his family to Tiffin, OH.

In 1989, he graduated from The Ohio State University with a Masters of Science in Education.  In the summer of 1989, the Director of Sentinel Career Center asked him to develop and teach a horticulture and landscaping program for special needs high school students.  At the end of the 1990-1991 school year, he was hired as the Assistant Director of Sentinel Career Center.  During the next five years, he represented Sentinel on the Ohio Career and Technical Association.  During this time, he was elected to the Board of Directors, Vice-President and President.

On March 19, 1994, he received an Education Specialist degree from the University of Toledo Graduate School.  In March of 1998, he was appointed Director of Sentinel Career Center, Tiffin.  During his time as Director, he established Character Education as part of the school's curriculum.  This gave the school a way to teach values and honesty in a Public-School setting.  Along with a great staff, Sentinel developed a reputation of being one of the best Career Centers not only in Ohio, but in the United States.  He retired in June of 2008.

In May of 2010, he was appointed Superintendent of Calvert Catholic Schools.  The Calvert Board of Education told him that he would be hired for the sole purpose of establishing a positive learning atmosphere which would encourage families to send their children to Calvert Catholic Schools. By the end of his third year, Calvert had two consecutive years of increased enrollment.

Hank has made the following statement to various people in the community: "I have had one of the greatest careers anyone could ever have and every day is like a day in paradise."

Hank served on the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary for over 25 years. He was an active member of All Saints Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus New Riegel Council No. 10749, Allen Eiry Senior Center and the Seneca County Antique Machinery Association.

Hank enjoyed boating, fishing, playing euchre, antique tractor parades and attending his granddaughters musical activities and sporting events.

His Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, February 03, 2025 at All Saints Parish with Rev. Gary Walters officiating.  Burial will follow in St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery, New Riegel.

Friends may visit with the family from 2-7:00 P.M. on Sunday, February 02, 2025 at Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home & Crematory, 236 S. Washington St., Tiffin, Ohio 44883, (419) 447-2424 and one hour prior to the funeral mass at Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Calvert Catholic Schools, All Saints Catholic Church, Seneca County Antique Machinery Association or to the Northwest Ohio Parkinson Foundation.

Condolences may be sent and the guestbook signed at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com.