Colonel Emerson E. Lewis

Colonel Emerson E. Lewis, age 74, of 14 North Long Street, Shelby, died early Saturday morning, March 9, 1996, in Med Central-Shelby Hospital after a short illness. He was born May 6, 1921 in Cogswell, Kentucky the son of John W. and Ada (Collins) Lewis.

Colonel Lewis graduated from Morehead High School, Morehead, Kentucky, in 1940 and attended Morehead State College.

Colonel Lewis was a B-17 pilot during WWII serving in the European Theater. He completed 35 missions and 251 combat hours. In 1950 he joined the Ohio Air National Guard. He served a 21 year tenure as commander of the 164 Tactical Fighter Squadron, the 179 Tactical Fighter Group and the 179 Tactical Airlift Group, at Mansfield Lahm Airport. He was responsible for the doubling of the size of the unit both in personnel and physical facilities. Thorough his efforts the retention of the weather bureau and airport improvements were made. He was nominated to the Ohio National Guard Hall Of Fame for his years of service.

He was a member of Most Pure Heart Of Mary Catholic Church in Shelby the Shelby American Legion O’Brien Post # 326 and the Westbrook Country Club.

Colonel Lewis is survived by his wife, Gloria (Caporini) Lewis, whom he married on May 6, 1950; 1 daughter, Carolyn Owen of Lehigh Acres, Florida; 2 grandchildren; 1 brother, Aubrey Lewis of Port Clinton, Ohio; 3 sisters, Juanita Fitzthum of Marblehead, Ohio, Thelma Lysinger on Marblehead, Ohio and Veatrice Sedlak of Wauseon, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 brother, Earl Lewis and 1 sister, Delora Harris.

Calling hours will be on Monday any time after 2:00 P.M. at the Turner Funeral Home in Shelby, where the family will be present from 7-9 P.M. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 8:30 P.M. at the funeral home. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10:00 A.M. at Most Pure Heart Of Mary Catholic Church in Shelby, with his pastor, Father John C. Missler, officiating. Burial will be in Most Pure Heart Of Mary Catholic Cemetery in Shelby.

Memorial expressions may be made to the church or to the charity of the donors choice and left in care of the Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, Ohio 44875.