L. Eldon Pry
Lewis Eldon Pry, age 92, of Crestline, died Thursday, April 7, 2016 at The Good Shepherd in Ashland.
Eldon was born May 19, 1923 in Crawford County, Ohio to the late Daniel and Elrita (Wachs) Pry and lived his entire life within a quarter mile of his birthplace. He was a 1941 graduate of Tiro High School. Eldon was a WWII veteran of the United States Army Infantry serving as a Sergeant in both France and Germany and was the recipient of a Purple Heart. He enjoyed attending his Army reunions with Company K of the 324th Regiment of the 44th Division. He was a lifelong farmer but had also worked at Ohio Steel Tube, Cooper Enterprises, AMF, and retired from W.A. Vanasdale, Inc.
Eldon served on the Tiro School Board of Education during the consolidation of Tiro, New Washington, and Chatfield schools to form the current Buckeye Central School District. He was a lifelong active member of Tiro United Methodist Church where he had served as a trustee for many years and sang in the church choir. A talented singer, Eldon also sang at many weddings.
Eldon was a faithful husband, a model father, and a source of strength for his family. Surviving are his wife of 70 years, Carol (Schafstall) Pry, whom he wed on April 13, 1946; 4 children: Dan (Nancy) Pry of Howard, Ohio, Randy (Jan) Pry of Shelby, Doug (Maria) Pry of Crestline, and Kathy (Howard) Bair of Shelby; a daughter in law: Sue (Gary) Hill of Ganges; 9 grandchildren, 11 step grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, 24 step great grandchildren, 1 great great grandson, 2 step great great grandchildren; and a sister in law: Justine Caskey of Shelby. In addition to his parents, Eldon was preceded in death by: a son, Stephen P. Pry in 1995, a brother: Warren Pry; and 2 sisters: Florence Hannafus and Letha Brundage.
Family and friends are welcome on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, what would have been Carol and Eldon’s 70th wedding anniversary, at 11 AM at the Tiro United Methoidst Church, 202 Sherman Street, Tiro, Ohio 44887, with Pastor Garland Harvey, Jr. and Pastor Gary Hill officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail and burial will follow in Biddle Cemetery on Remlinger Road. Memorial contributions may be made to Tiro United Methodist Church or Southern Care Hospice.
To share a memory or express a condolence, please visit: penwellturner.com
Our hearts are heavy for you all. I know this great man will be sorely missed, but we rejoice in the wonderful example of a Christian man. He was such an inspiration to all who knew him. God bless you all with peace and comfort you with His compassion and mercy.
So sorry for everyone’s loss! My sincere condolences are with the loved ones in this time of need! From everything I’ve heard he was a wonderful man!!! Rest in Peace and Fly High Sweet Angel for you are no longer in pain!
My deepest & most sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of SGT Lewis Eldon Pry, USA / WWII Veteran. We are the land of the free because we are the home of the Brave. Brave Heroes like SGT Lewis Eldon Pry, USA / WWII Veteran. Rest in peace Brave Hero.
Gary Knight
Ohio Patriot Guard
District 2 Captain
In Memory Of:
SSGT Mathew F. Knight US AIR FORCE Korea
TEC 4 William L. Carter US ARMY WWII
PFC William E. Hoffman US ARMY WWII
To the Pry Family & Mrs Pry,
Our thoughts & prayers go out to you and the entire family with the loss of Mr. Pry I enjoyed the visits I was able to have with him and the stories he told of his time spent in the service. For every story he had about his time in the service it was followed by a special memory he recalled about his family. Such a sweet man with a warm and gentle smile. Mrs Pry 70 years of marriage is something to be celebrated the love you both had for one another was evident. In the short time I came to know you and your family It could easily be seen that your children encompassed that same love that they had been a witness to all these years. If you need anything at all over the coming days weeks or months ahead please know we are also here for you and the family to help in any way that we can. In Sympathy, Sarah Heintz & the team of SouthernCare Hospice
Grieving with you–I’m so sorry for your loss. Love, Paula
So sorry for your loss. Pat