Jack A. Wallington

Jack Arnold Wallington, age 89, passed away peacefully in Gettysburg, PA, in the early morning hours of October 7, 2024, with his daughter, Angela, and granddaughter, Chelsea, by his side. 

Jack was born on May 16, 1935, the eldest child of Arnold and Edith (Rahm) Wallington. He graduated in 1953 from Swanton High School and married his lifelong partner, Wilma Heuerman, at the First Unitarian Church in Toledo on November 29, 1960. Wilma preceded him in death in 2007. 

Jack graduated from the University of Toledo with a Bachelor’s of Education in 1963, working his way through college over the course of a decade with his characteristic resiliency and grit. As a student teacher at Rogers High School, he was awarded the male “Teacher of the Year” award, an unheard of accomplishment. After the birth of his daughter, when he was in his forties, he went on to earn an M.Ed. A true believer in the power of learning, a legendary champion of the working class and the underdog, he was a teacher and wrestling and tennis coach at Springfield Local Schools in Holland, Ohio, for over thirty years (leading them to multiple championships, although he himself had never wrestled nor picked up a tennis racket!). He also taught at the University of Toledo’s Community and Technical College (ComTech) and continued to coach in his retirement. In 2017, The Jack Wallington Tennis Complex was dedicated at Springfield High School to celebrate his legacy. He served many years in the U.S. Navy Reserve, earning the rank of Chief Petty Officer. 

He was a member of Epiphany Lutheran Church, the Toledo Lutheran Men’s Bowling League, and a multi-medal award winner in the Senior Olympics. Jack loved all sports: local, regional, and national, and he enjoyed sharing those experiences with family and friends. He was happiest on an athletic field or at the ballpark. 

Surviving are his daughter and son-in-law (whom he loved like a son), Pastors Angela and Martin Otto Zimmann; beloved grandchildren, Seth Martin and Chelsea June Zimmann; sister, Treasure Anne Kidd; sister-in-law, Clara Jean Wallington; many beloved nieces and nephews, (including Jackie Kidd (his namesake), Linda (Kidd) Tillman, and Ed Kidd), grand-nieces and nephews, cousins, and a host of friends, whose love and support during his lifetime were the greatest gift. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Dwight, his nieces Sarah (Kidd) Lowe and Karen (Wallington) McClellan, and his grand-nephew, Sean Lutzmann. The day after Jack died, Edgar Kidd, Jack’s beloved brother-in-law with whom he was inseparable in life, also passed into eternity. The family is certain that the two of them are enjoying a heavenly reunion, complete with fresh donuts and hot coffee. 

Friends will be received in the Walker Funeral Home, Airport Highway, Holland, from 9-11:30 AM on Saturday, October 12th, where funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m, with Rev. Dr. Frank Paine presiding.

Burial will follow at Springfield Township Cemetery. Following the burial, all are invited to lunch hosted by the family at Jack’s favorite local restaurant, Rudy’s Hot Dog,7170 Orchard Centre Dr, Holland, OH. Please join us, and come hungry! Jack would be delighted. 

Those planning an expression of sympathy are kindly requested to consider the Springfield Local Schools Foundation, 6900 Hall St., Holland, OH 43528, or a charity of choice.