Gail Wiswell Obituary

Gail E. "Poppy" Wiswell

Dec 30, 1940 - Dec 24, 2025

Castalia

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Gail E "Poppy" Wiswell, the morning of Christmas Eve, six days shy of his 85th birthday.

He was born December 30, 1940, at home on Depot St., Castalia, to Martha H (Puchalski) and George S Wiswell.

He was a 1958 Margaretta High School graduate and attended most of their yearly luncheons at Sandusky Yacht Club. He met his wife, Leslie Lynn Speer, at a Sandusky High School football game. They married in March 1964 and remained married for 61 years.

Gail was a volunteer firefighter for Margaretta Township Fire Department from 1959-1975, retiring as a lieutenant. He worked at Raschke's Corner Store in Castalia for six years, then went on to Pick'n Pay/Topps grocery stores for 35 years, retiring in 2000. Working the overnight shift, Gail was stuck at Pick n Pay away from his family during the blizzard of 1978. He returned home to Castalia three days later on the back of a snowmobile.

Gail was an avid sports fan, cheering on the Buckeyes, Browns, Indians, and Cavs. He enjoyed all local high school sports, but especially the Margaretta Polar Bears. He was a member of ROMEOS (Retired Old Men Enjoying Our Sports), who together travelled to games, meets, and other events. He was a member of two Sandusky Bowling Leagues, one of which was a couples league he enjoyed with Leslie.

He enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren perform in their concerts, plays, and their various sports. He attended many Indians and Cavs games with them annually. He loved taking his grandchildren to Cedar Point, packing their lunches, and spending the afternoon in Kiddie Kingdom.

Gail also loved vegetable gardening every summer. His garden was so big he had to give away most of his crops.

Gail leaves behind his wife, Leslie; son, Darin (Amy) Wiswell, of Amherst; daughters, Amy (Frank) Schnurr and Julie Wiswell, both of Perkins Township; grandchildren, Brandon (Jennifer) Whyde, Sandusky, Brett (Danielle) Whyde, Rockwood, Michigan, Alison Wiswell, Tacoma Washington, Zachary Schoen, Phoenix, Arizona, Emily Wiswell, North Ridgeville, Brock Whyde, Castalia, Molly Schoen and Ryan Schnurr, both of Perkins Township; and three great-grandchildren. Also surviving Gail are his brother, George (Bonnie) Wiswell, Sandusky; sister, Joyce (Bill) Ransom, Berlin Heights; sister-in-law, Debbie Speer of Toledo; his former son-in-law, Randy Whyde, Castalia; plus several cousins' nieces and nephews and his beloved dog, Daisy. He was a popular figure in the Castalia community and will be sorely missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Martha and George; a brother, James Wiswell; a special cousin, Tom Puchalski, with whom he spent many a day on the water fishing for perch, or following the Polar Bears; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Friends may call from 3-6 p.m. Sunday, December 28, 2025, at Ransom Funeral Home, with a prayer service following. Guests are asked to wear their Polar Bear attire or that of their favorite (Ohio) sports teams.

Burial will be private and take place at a later date.

Donations may be made to Margaretta Fire Department, 113 South Ave., PO Box 567, Castalia, Margaretta Booster Club, or Tom Puchalski Scholarship fund at Margaretta High School,209 Lowell Street, Castalia.