Foos & Foos Funeral Service
151 Yorkshire Place
Bellevue, OH 44811
Phone: 419.483.5484
Fax: 419.483.3061
Email: brian@foosfuneral.com
Website: www.foosfuneral.com
View All Obituaries from Foos & Foos Funeral Service
Willis Jay Lodge age 91 of Bellevue passed away Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at the Willows At Bellevue.
He was born May 8, 1923 in Huron County, the son of the late Charles Benjamin & Flora Alpha (Gardner) Lodge.
Willis spent his childhood in Flat Rock, OH. He was a 1943 graduate of Thompson High School, Bellevue, OH.
He was a lifelong railroader working for the Wheeling & Lake Erie, Nickel Plate, Norfolk & Western and Norfolk Southern as they were consolidated over the years.
Willis was a proud US Navy veteran having served in the Pacific Theater, as a gunner on a TBM Avenger in VT-34 Torpedo Squadron stationed aboard the USS Monterey, serving from 1943-1945.
Willis was very involved in the community. He was a lifelong member of St. John's Lutheran Church and was active with St. Paul's Episcopal Church, He was a member of the Thompson School Alumni Association; Past Commander of VFW Post 1238, the facility was built during his term; Historic Lyme Village Association where he oversaw the dismantling and rebuilding of the Ann Brown log cabin; Experiential Aircraft Association; was instrumental, along with his wife Mary in establishing regular reunions of the VT-34 Torpedo Squadron.
He loved history, particularly family history; woodworking as a service to the many organizations of he was involved with. Until recently he took communion weekly to residents at the Willows with laypersons from St. Paul's Episcopal Church. He was at the time of his death planning a fly-in of five TBM's to Erie-Ottawa Airport.
Survivors include his children; Mary (Gerard) Celeste of Parkville, MO, LeRose Meadows of Bellevue, Susan (fiancée, Dale Andrews) Thomson of Bellevue, and Mark (Tess) Lodge of Toledo, grandchildren; Rosemary (Patrick) Hannan, of Kansas City North Missouri; Joseph (Crystal) Celeste, of Parkville, Missouri; Anthony (Nicole) Celeste, of Coffeyville, Kansas; Susan (Daniel) Fansher, of Liberty, Missouri; Christopher Meadows, of Bellevue; Brian Meadows, of Phoenix, Arizona; and Jennifer Thomson, of Phoenix, Arizona, great-grandchildren; Brooklyn and Braden Hannan; Creston, Raegan, and Carson Celeste; Kaden and Camden Celeste; Celeste Fansher, Allyson Fansher and Dylan Fansher; and many dear friends, particularly surviving members of VT-34 Naval Air Squadron, and his beloved cat, who was his devoted companion in his latter years.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wives; Mary (Koselke) Lodge whom he married June 17, 1946, Lenore(Moyer) Lodge whom he married August 11, 1990 in Bellevue, brothers; Clarence W. Lodge, Charles G. Lodge and half-brother Paul M. Brumbaugh.
Friends will be received Sunday, July 20, 2014 from 2 - 7 pm at Foos and Foos Funeral Service, 151 Yorkshire Place, Bellevue. The funeral service will be held Monday, July 21, 2014 at 10:00 am in St. John's Lutheran Church, 209 Southwest St., Bellevue. Burial will follow at Bellevue Cemetery where military honors will be observed.
Memorials may be made to The Wounded Soldiers Fund, PO box 8005, Bellevue, OH 44811, Liberty Aviation Museum, 3515 E. State Rd, Port Clinton, OH 43452, or Ohio Veterans Home Activity Fund, 3416 Columbus Ave, Sandusky, OH 44870.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.foosfuneral.com
