STRYKER -- Charles F. "Chuck" Lehman, 91, of Stryker, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2012, at the CHP Defiance Area In-Patient Care Center in Defiance.
He was born on April 19, 1920, in Stryker, the son of the late Ed and the late Bertha (Fox) Lehman. He was a lifelong Stryker resident. Chuck graduated from Stryker High School in 1938 and attended Bowling Green State University. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps graduating from Kelly Field. He married Thelma Norris and she survives. During his military service he was an instructor pilot at Randolph Field in Waco, Texas. As a captain in World War II, he served in the China, Burma, India Theater as a "Hump" pilot and he received the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Following the years in military service, Chuck worked for Surplus Materials in Stryker. He then owned and retired from Gorman Wire and Cable in Bryan, Ohio. He was active in his community by serving on the Stryker town council and the Stryker School Board.
His memberships include the American Legion Post 60 in Stryker and the Stryker Rotary Club, where he was a charter member and received the Paul Harris Fellow Award. Chuck was also a member of the First Lutheran Church in Stryker where he had served in many capacities. In his retirement, Chuck volunteered many years at Sauder Village in Archbold.
Surviving besides his wife, Thelma, are three daughters, Lana (Bill) Beucler of Chesterland, Ohio, Lynne (John) Miller of Bryan and Josie (Jeff) Lodermeier of Norwalk, Ohio; 10 grandchildren, Suzanne (Tom) Fortuna, Doug (Heidi) Miller, Mike (Kristy) Beucler, Dave (Lisa) Miller, Amy (Barry) Johns, Mark (Sara) Beucler, Anne (Andy) McCarty, Brian Lodermeier, Bethany (Cody) Koch and Kyle Lodermeier; and 20 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a sister, Connie Cowling of New Bern, N.C.; a sister-in-law, Arlene Parks of Lansing, Mich.; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents; infant son, Charles F. Lehman Jr.; brothers, Carlton and Clair Lehman; and a sister, Clemma Fetterman.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday February 9, 2012, at the First Lutheran Church in Stryker with the Rev. Dane Meuschke officiating. Interment will follow in the Stryker Cemetery. Friends may call at the First Lutheran Church in Stryker from 2-8 p.m. on Wednesday. The Grisier Funeral Home in Stryker has been entrusted with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to either the First Lutheran Church or the charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.GrisierFH.com.
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