George Schulhoff ran store Merchant devoted time to religious groups By Janinne Thompson The Cincinnati Enquirer George E. Schulhoff, the founder of Schulhoff Rental Equipment and Sales in Walnut Hills, died Sunday of a heart attack at Anderson Mercy Hospital. The Anderson Township resident was 86. Born in East Walnut Hills, he attended St. Francis DeSales School and graduated from Purcell High School in 1932. He founded the tool rental company in 1935. Mr. Schulhoff devoted much of his time to the Apostles of the Holy Spirit, which he founded in 1948. The lay group, organized to promote love for and devotion to the Holy Spirit, held meetings on the second floor of the tool rental store. He also organized an annual retreat for the merchants of Walnut Hills’ DeSales Corner at the Milford Retreat Center. He was a former board member and supporter of the Holy Spirit Center, formerly Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, in Norwood. He contributed to the restoration of the center and refurbished the chapel. He also was a lifetime member of the Third Order of St. Francis. “George was a very caring person”, said Ed Whalen of Mount Airy, a business associate of 42 years. “He always, without exception, wanted to help someone else. He helped people back into the church who had drifted away. He was loved by everyone he touched.” Mr. Schulhoff collected and rebuilt clocks. “He had wall clocks, grandfather clocks, windup clocks, all different kinds all over his office and his home,” said Mr. Whalen. He also loved to travel. He and his wife of 64 years, Mary Elizabeth, had traveled to Europe by freighter. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a sister, Frances Kuehter of Fresno, Calif., and a brother, Carl Schulhoff of Denver. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at St. Rose Catholic Church, 2501 Eastern Ave., East End, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at the church at 7 p.m. Burial will be in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 11000 Montgomery Road, Montgomery.