Gene Orsdall Obituary

Gene "Geno" Van Orsdall

Oct 16, 1937 - Oct 15, 2025

Bellevue

Gene "Geno" VanOrsdall, 87, of Bellevue, died Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at Stein Hospice Care Center, following a brief illness.

Gene was born October 16, 1937, in New Washington, to parents George and Ruth (High) VanOrsdall. Gene graduated in 1955 from New Washington High School, where he was president of Crawford County's Honor Society, a member of Crawford County League Championship for basketball, baseball and track and was All-Conference in basketball during his senior year. Gene attended Bluffton College from 1955-1959. He was a member of Pi Delta Honor Society, lettered all four years in baseball, one year in basketball and was All-Conference in baseball during his junior year. From 1959-1963, Gene taught at Holmes Liberty High School. In 1961, he was voted Coach of the Year in the Mansfield area for basketball, and in 1962, his Holmes Liberty basketball team was County Sectional District Champs and Regional Runners-up. From 1963-1964, Gene taught biology at Wynford High School and was head coach of the JV basketball team, which went 19-1. The majority of Gene's teaching and coaching career was at Margaretta High School, from 1964-1998, where he was a mentor and role model for a myriad of students and had a vastly beneficial influence on many of their lives. Gene was Varsity basketball coach from 1964–1972, and in 1965, they were Sandusky Bay Champs. He was assistant principal from 1972-1976 and athletic director from 1972-1980. He coached 8th-grade girls' basketball from 1989-2008, during which 17 of those years his team earned 1st or 2nd place in the SBC. And in 1998, Geno retired after 39 years of educating and coaching Ohio's youth. Along with being a teacher and a coach, Gene was a farmer for most of his life. He retired from the long, heavy days of farm work at the age of 83, but continued to share crop and keep up with the current farm data and news.

Gene has been a member of Castalia Lions Club for over 65 years, where he has donated a significant number of hours to helping the local community. He was a member of Castalia Lions Golf League for over 25 years, where he enjoyed every minute spent on the golf course with friends, earned an exciting hole-in-one at Sleepy Hollow on the 8th hole and won his last championship at age 83. Gene has also been a member of the congregation at Grace Lutheran Church since the 1960s. Gene is an outstanding father, friend, teacher, coach, Papa, and member of the community. He had a passion for playing golf, keeping up with all ball-sports and current affairs, teaching, and road trips with infamous shortcuts. He enjoyed solving the world's problems with his coffee club and socializing with his Kelleys Island crew. Gene brought laughter, light, and an unforgettable sense of mischief into the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know him. He never missed an opportunity to crack an inappropriate joke, always finding the humor in life. He was a connoisseur of gossip and the go-to source for stories that may or may not have been entirely accurate. He would also be sure to announce and make it known if you were affiliated with a political party opposite of his own. Each and every person who ever met or knew Geno has an unforgettable memory. He leaves behind a community of friends who will miss his humor, his stories, and his unapologetic zest for life. His love, knowledge, patience, positive attitude, generosity, exceptional memory, and humor will be enormously missed by countless people. Fire up, Geno…We love you...That's Amore!

He is survived by his sister, Barbara VanOrsdall, New Washington; daughter and son-in-law, Beth (VanOrsdall) and Kevin Utley of Oro Valley, Arizona.

He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Steven VanOrsdall.

Friends may call from 3-7 p.m. Friday, October 17, 2025, at Ransom Funeral & Cremation Service, 610 S. Washington St. Castalia, and from 11 a.m. until funeral services at noon Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Grace Lutheran Church, 203 S. Washington St., Castalia. Pastor Dane Meuschke will officiate. Burial will be at Castalia Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Castalia Lions Club and Margaretta Booster Club.

Online condolences and gifts of sympathy may be shared with family by visiting www.ransomfuneralhome.com