Lewis E. Koehler, Jr., 99, of Bryan, Ohio passed Monday, September 9, 2019, at The Inn at Fountain Park, Bryan. He was born August 25, 1920 in New Lexington, Ohio, to the late Lewis Ervin and Leanna (Frame) Koehler. He was a 1938 graduate of Glouster High School, and continued his education at Ohio University, earning his bachelor’s degree in education. He was a member of the 1940-41 Ohio University baseball team as a catcher.
He later earned a master’s degree from St. Francis University, Fort Wayne, IN. He and Catherine Davies married in Carroll, Ohio on September 26, 1940. They enjoyed over 65 years of marriage. She preceded him in death on January 18, 2008. Lewis taught industrial arts at Bryan schools for 30 years and enjoyed coaching football and baseball. Later he photographed football games for the team and remained an avid fan of Bryan High sports after retirement.
He was a long-time member of the Wesley United Methodist Church, where he served as usher. Other memberships included Bryan Masonic Lodge 215, Bryan Kiwanis Club, and Bryan Senior Center. Family, friends, golf, and woodworking were his passions. He loved traveling, many summers we would drive to visit friends in Oregon, each time by means of a different route, enjoying the beauty of the West. In later years he wintered in Florida. He lived a long full life.
He is survived by three daughters, Carol Matthews of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Nancy (Adam) Allerhand of Bloomington, IN , and Connie (Charles) Widney of Greenville, NC; six grandchildren, Ryan Matthews, Akron, CO, Kelly (Jim) Bonner, Stafford, VA, Rebecca Allerhand, Bloomington, IN, Joanna Allerhand, Grand Rapids, MI, Sarah (Jeff Adrion) Widney, Eugene, OR, and Karl Widney, Boulder, CO; two great-grandchildren, Colin and Madison Bonner; and sisters Norma Custer, Pomeroy, OH, and Wanda Haines of Groveport, OH. Lewis was preceded in death by his parents, wife Catherine, brother George Koehler, sisters Pearl Koehler and Betty Koehler, and son-in-law Denby Matthews.
The family wishes to thank Ross and Connie Cox for their devoted friendship to Lewis, as well as the Visiting Angels, the Ohioans Home Health Care, Grace Hospice, and The Inn at Fountain Park for their loving care.
Memorial services will be held on November 2, 2019 at 1 PM, visitation at 12 noon, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 903 Center Street, Bryan, OH, with Rev. Peter Paige officiating, with reflections by Chaplain Harold Schutte of Grace Hospice. Interment will follow at Fountain Grove Cemetery, Bryan. Arrangements by Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home – Greenisen Chapel, 225 E. High St., Bryan.
The family asks those wishing to remember Lewis to make memorial contributions to Bryan Kiwanis Club, Wesley United Methodist Church or Bryan City Schools. Condolences may be sent to the family or memories may be shared at www.oberlinturnbull.com
