Barbola Funeral Chapel

David C. Wallenfeldt

David Charles Wallenfeldt, age 62, of Ohio, died at Akron City Hospital on January 30, 2021.

He was born in Iowa City, Iowa, in January 1959, the son of Evert C. and Phyllis Schooff Wallenfeldt. His early childhood years were spent in Iowa, Indiana, and Wisconsin; however, for most of his life Ohio was his home. He graduated from Kent Roosevelt High School in 1977 and earned BBA and MBA degrees from the University of Akron while employed by Ohio Edison/First Energy. He began his 41-year career with the electric utility company as a lineman and worked his way up through the organization to become safety supervisor. In that capacity he had responsibility at hurricane and other weather disaster sites throughout the Northeast and Southeast United States. Following his retirement in 2020, he trained personnel of various utility companies in safety procedures.

Dave was united in marriage to Marcia Rinearson in 1996. They raised three beautiful daughters in Kent. Dave and Marcia enjoyed having a house full of dogs and traveling to such destinations as Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Dave was appreciated, respected, admired, and liked by those who worked for him, with him, and over him. He could relate to both linemen and organization executives with understanding, tough-love kindness, integrity, and an amazing and perceptive wry sense of humor. To show the high regard his associates had for him, his contacts in West Virginia traveled considerable miles to Ohio to attend his retirement celebration. In the words of one of his associates of 20 years, “Dave was the best guy I ever knew!” Dave had a thorough knowledge of small arm safety and precautions, enjoying his time on the firing range. He suffered with and celebrated the Indians and Browns, was a dedicated Ohio State Buckeyes fan, and made a yearly trip with his father and brother to watch a University of Wisconsin away football game at different Big Ten stadiums.

He is survived by Marcia, his wife of 24 years; daughters, Kaitlyn Rinearson (Aaron Sutherland), Allyson (Scott) Ostetrico, Erin (Jesse) Michel; grandchildren, Hank Michel, Emmet Michel, Cayde Ostetrico and Jemma Ostetrico; brother, Jeff (Jill) Wallenfeldt; niece, Hayley Wallenfeldt; father, Evert C. Wallenfeldt, and aunt, Jean Wallberg. He was preceded in death by his mother, Phyllis Wallenfeldt on March 2, 2020; uncle, Curtis Schooff; and mother-in-law, Carmella Militello. Dave will be missed by those many with whom he had contact. His kindness, directness, fairness, sense of humor, and honest straight-forward approach to life in general will not be forgotten. Inurnment will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Local arrangements have been entrusted to Barbola Funeral Chapel in Berlin. Anyone wishing to send a sympathy card to the family, please mail card to Barbola Funeral Chapel, c/o David Wallenfeldt, PO Box 201, Berlin, WI 54923.