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- Cincinnati Enquirer 14 Jun 2007
HIRLINGER Leonard T. Jr. Beloved husband of Carol (nee Brefeld) Hirlinger; Loving father of Leonard (Janet) III, Michael (Mary) and Steven (Heather) Hirlinger; Dear grandfather of Leonard IV, Laura Jo, Gabriel, Michael, Elle, Alex and the late Maria; Caring brother of Martha (Raymond) Hahn; He was a member of the Automotive Old Timers of Cincinnati, the Happy Birthday Club, the Convertible Club, the Clovernook Country Club and E.T. Carson Lodge #598 F&AM; Leonard was in the automobile business for over 60 years and started Hirlinger Chevrolet 30 years ago; Tuesday June 12, 2007; Age 77; Residence Green Township; Visitation will be Saturday from 9-11 A.M. at the Paul R. Young Funeral Home, 7345 Hamilton Ave. Mt. Healthy; Funeral service will be at the convenience of the family; Remembrances may be made to the Mercy Franciscan Western Hills Cardio Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center; Condolences may be sent to www.paulyoungfuneralhome.com
Cincinnati Enquirer 22 Jun 2007
GREEN TWP. - Leonard T. Hirlinger Jr. worked in the automotive industry for more than 60 years.
He grew up helping his father run a business selling trucks, fire engines and ambulances.
"He wasn't afraid to work," said his son Michael, of Delhi Township. "He pretty much worked all his life."
Mr. Hirlinger, 77, former owner of Hirlinger Chevrolet in West Harrison, Ind., died Tuesday at his Green Township home.
Born in Cincinnati on July 21, 1929, Mr. Hirlinger was a graduate of Colerain High School and attended the University of Cincinnati. Around the time of his birth, his father - who had been in the trucking business - began selling heavy-duty trucks. He sold Federal, Divco, Diamond T and Diamond Reo trucks out of a store on Third Street downtown. All were manufactured for commercial uses, such as hauling water, pulling trailers and delivering milk.
A few years later, Hirlinger Truck Sales was relocated to Spring Grove and Arlington avenues. It grew to include the Midwest distributorship for Dodge trucks and a Willys Jeep franchise.
Mr. Hirlinger inherited the business at about age 30 after his father's death.
His lifelong dream was to have a Chevrolet dealership, his son said. In 1977, he closed the business on Spring Grove Avenue. The following year he bought Valley Motors - a Chevy dealership in Brookville. He moved it to West Harrison, where it's been since 1980.
"He was always hands-on with the business," Michael Hirlinger said. "You could see him out pushing a broom, cleaning windows - whatever it took to get the job done."
He took pride in keeping his business clean, said another son, Steven, of Wilder.
Mr. Hirlinger turned the dealership over to his sons about 10 years ago, but he still came in three or four days a week to help out.
Outgoing and sociable, he "had a million friends," Michael Hirlinger said. "He got along with everybody. He was never a flashy kind of guy. He could relate to anybody, from a kid cleaning up cars to the highest of the high. He looked at everybody the same way - treated everybody with respect and was honest. There's not many like him.
"To this day people still come into the dealership to see my dad."
Mr. Hirlinger was a member of the Automotive Old Timers of Cincinnati, the Happy Birthday Club, the Convertible Club, Clovernook Country Club and E.T. Carson Lodge No. 598 F&AM.
He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Maria, in 1996.
In addition to his sons, Michael and Steven, survivors include his wife, Carol Brefeld Hirlinger; another son, Leonard Hirlinger III of Harrison; a sister, Martha Hahn of Delhi Township; and six grandchildren.
Visitation is from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Paul R. Young Funeral Home, 7345 Hamilton Ave., Mount Healthy. The funeral will be private. Burial will be at Arlington Memorial Gardens.
The family suggests memorial gifts to Mercy Franciscan Western Hills Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center.
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Our Family History
1929 - 2007 (77 years)
