Jacob Bechtel

Jacob “Jake” Edward Bechtel, 82, of West Salem went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at his daughter Carrie’s house, under Hospice care.

Jake was born on January 26, 1944 in Massillon, Ohio to Ward J. and Ruth (Becker) Bechtel. He attended Northwestern High School and was a member of the class of 1963. On May 21, 1971, he married Grace Gibson. She survives. They were married for 55 years.

Jake worked for Duff Truck Lines and O.K. Trucking in Cleveland. Later, he worked for Palmer & Son Excavating.

Jake enjoyed working on the family farm as well as tinkering on cars in his barn. He LOVED the Wayne County Fair and attended every single day and had tickets to all of the shows!

Surviving are his wife Grace, and his three daughters and spouses; Tina (Mike) Kohlmansberger of Mansfield, Kimberly (Mark) Tanner of Wooster and Carrie (Sonny) Cooper of Orrville; 14 grandchildren; Joshua Potts, Brooke Mahon, JefferyBechtel, Leila Brown, Jacob Bechtel, Madison Bechtel, Brianna Bechtel, Trent Tanner, Adam Tanner, Seth Shields, Holden Jackson, Vince Cooper, Damon Cooper and Alayna Koumal; 15 great grandchildren; a sister Florence Oldaker of West Salem and a whole bunch of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Louise Bowers and Martha Ewing, a brother W. Richard Bechtel, a son Brian Bechtel and a grandson Justin Tyler Schoenian.

Services will be Tuesday, June 30 at 11:00 a.m. at Mohican Church, 7759 Elyria Road, West Salem, OH 44287 with Pastor Chad Palmer officiating. Friends may call on Monday, June 29 from 4-7 p.m. at the church and one hour before services Tuesday. Burial will take place at Sherwood Memorial Gardens, there will not be a graveside service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mohican Church 7759 Elyria Road, West Salem, OH 44287.

The funeral service will be live streamed at the link below:

https://youtube.com/@mohicanchurch2169?si=76PR5aV_fNLTW6EI