MILLERSBURG, Ohio — Sheldon D. Schmucker, retired co-founder of Millersburg Tire Service in Millersburg, died Jan. 15. He was 89.
Born in Louisville, Ohio, Mr. Schmucker was a farmer and his brother-in-law, Art Miller, was a mortician when they got into the tire business after buying a filling station in Millersburg in 1953. They called it Schmucker & Miller.
"Dad started selling tires right away," said his son and Millersburg Tire President Brad Schmucker. The younger Mr. Schmucker said he didn't realize until talking with his father about the dealership's history that it began with just three tires — two used and one new retread.
From there, the business grew into a retail, wholesale and commercial tire dealership, with 42 employees selling, servicing and distributing wheels and all types of tires from passenger and light truck, to truck, lawn and garden, OTR, farm, ATV, airplane and tracks.
Along the way, the business, which also provides auto service and retreading, eventually became known as Millersburg Tire.
Brad Schmucker, who acquired the dealership in 2007 from his father, described his dad as a "legend in the tire business."
He lived by the golden rule and wanted to be remembered as a "good, honest and fair Christian businessman," his son said.
He believed in treating people properly and would say, "you can never please everybody, but you should never quit trying. We still do that," Brad Schmucker said.
Mr. Schmucker retired from the dealership in the mid-1990s and in retirement loved spending time with his family, golfing in Florida, talking with people and traveling with his wife of 67 years, Blanche.
He and Blanche supported missionaries all over the world.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Schmucker is survived by his children: Brad (Diane) Schmucker, Patricia (Patrick) Sage, Doug Schmucker, Wes (Kris) Schmucker, all of Millersburg; and Sheila (Steve) Trifelos of Strasburg, Ohio; 13 grandchildren, including Brad Schmucker's daughter Britany and son Brandon, who work for the dealership; and 10 great grandchildren.
Calling hours will be held Friday, Jan. 18, from 5 to 8 p.m. at NewPointe Community Church. Services will be held Saturday, Jan. 20 at 11 a.m. at NewPointe Community Church, Millersburg Campus, located at 8882 State Route 39.
The family requests that donations may be made in Mr. Schmucker's name to the Love Center Food Pantry, 1291 Massillon Road #A, Millersburg, OH 44654; or NewPointe Community Church, Millersburg Campus, 8882 state Route 39, Millersburg, OH 44654.