Lee Bayliss, 76

Lee H. Bayliss, 76, of Sherwood, passed away Friday, June 27, 2014 at his residence.  Lee was born August 2, 1937 in Sherwood, Ohio, the son of the late J.V. “Vern” and Ruth R. (Renz) Bayliss.  He was a 1955 graduate of Sherwood-Delaware High School.  He studied mechanical engineering at General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan.  Lee was a veteran of the United States Army serving during Peacetime in Germany as an instrument repairman during the construction of the Berlin Wall.  He married Judith “Judy” Speiser on July 22, 1972 in the Olive Branch Church of God, Defiance, and she survives.  He retired from the ARO Corporation in Bryan on October 31, 1995 after 40 years serving in multiple positons including Service Manager.  After retirement he enjoyed part time work as a salesman for Minuteman Press in Defiance, Ohio.  He was a 50 year member of the Sherwood Lodge, #620, F & AM; 50 year member and 32nd Degree Mason of the Scottish Rite Valley of Memphis, Tennessee.  A Lifetime member of the Defiance County Fish and Game Association, was a founder and member of Curly’s Country Grass for 36 years playing mandolin.  He also played music as a member of The Bayliss Twins Musical Duo, and the Northeast Indiana Banjo Society.  He was also a charter member of the Delaware 4-H’ers 4-H Club and a regular attendee of the Fort Wayne Support Group for Pulmonary Hypertension.

Lee is survived by his wife, Judy of Sherwood; daughters, Julee Kaye Bayliss of Sherwood, and Jessica (Lonnie) Fleetwood of Defiance; grandchildren Amanda Lin, Sydney Marie and Logan Earl Lee Fleetwood all of Defiance; his twin brother, Leroy (Ellen) Bayliss of Sherwood, and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded by his parents, one sister, Jeanette Speiser, and one brother-in-law, John Speiser.

Visitation for Lee H. Bayliss will be held from 2:00-8:00 p.m. on Sunday June 29, 2014 with Masonic Services at 7:30 p.m. at Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, 230 East Elm Street, Sherwood.  Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 30, at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Ned Speiser officiating.  Burial will follow in Sherwood Cemetery with the Sherwood VFW Post #5665 conducting military honors.

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, Fort Wayne Support Group or the Caring Voice Coalition Association, 8249 Meadow Bridge Road, Mechanicsville, Virginia.