Thomas Sheldon Stierwalt

Thomas Sheldon Stierwalt, died on March 3, 2025 at The Laurels. He was born January 1, 1945, in Fremont, Ohio, to the late Jack and Harriet Stierwalt. Tom is survived by his wife of 57 years, Courtenay, son Christopher (Jennifer), grandchildren, Carson and Adyson Stierwalt of Arden, NC, sisters Leah Goltz of Ohio and Julie Plum of Mason, Ohio.

A talented musician, Tom began playing piano at age 4. He studied piano at the Oberlin Conservatory and was the organist at First Presbyterian Church during his junior and senior years at Fremont Ross High School. He also played trombone in the award winning high school band.

He was a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York, with a Bachelor of Music with Distinction and Masters in Piano Performance and Literature. His major teacher was Eugene List. He also studied accompanying with Brooks Smith, Jascha Heifetz’s accompanist. During his sophomore year at Eastman, he played for Igor Stravinsky in a recital of his works.

A member of the American Federation of Musicians from the age of 13, he headed a jazz band in high school and played with various groups in Rochester and the Catskills during his summers. His agent was in NYC and he enjoyed visiting jazz venues there.

Mr. Stierwalt taught at Montreat College for 27 years and was the organist at the Montreat Presbyterian Church (now the Christ Community Church) for 29 years. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in 1979. While at the college and church, he helped draw up the specifications for the new Von Beckerath tracker organ, and dedicated a new Steinway grand piano with George Beverly Shea.

Tom was a member of Christ Community Church, Montreat, North Carolina.

Services will be held on Saturday, March 29 at 11:00 a.m. in Graham Chapel at Christ Community Church, Montreat, NC. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery, Fremont, Ohio.

Memorial gifts may be made to Christ Community Church.

Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road is assisting the family.