Elton Wilson, 96

Elton J. Wilson, 96 years, of Ney, Ohio, passed away Thursday, September 24, 2015 at Community Health Professionals Inpatient Hospice, Defiance.  Elton was born September 28, 1918 in Lafayette, Indiana, the son of the late Elton F. and Maggie (Benham) Wilson.  Elton was raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and he was a 1936 graduate of Central High School in Fort Wayne.  Elton achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in his youth.  On January 7, 1941, he joined the Army assigned to the 1113 Engineering Combat Group.  He later joined the 1881st Engineering Avn. Battalion in the Army Air Corp.  He served in the New Guinea Campaign.  He married Jean Marie Beerbower on July 5, 1947 at her parent’s home. Elton worked at Farnsworth Television Corp. in Fort Wayne, Indiana for 14 years.  He then went to work for ARO Corp. in Bryan where he was employed for 25 years.  Elton was a broom maker at Sauder Village in Archbold for 11 years.  He was a member of the Farmer United Methodist Church, Farmer American Legion Post #137, where he was a Past Commander and finance officer, Disabled American Veterans Post #36, Defiance, Ohio, State Highway Patrol Auxiliary and he was a participant in the Northwest Ohio Honor Flight.  Elton served his community by being an EMT and served on the Farmer Township Cemetery Board.  Elton loved to travel, and traveled to many countries.  He loved to garden and tend to his fruit trees.  Elton and his daughter Cheryl raised and trained ponies and horses.

In addition to his wife Jean, Elton is survived by his daughter, Cheryl (John) Chafin of Ney; two grandsons, Travis (Dana) Chafin of Waterville, Ohio, and Troy Chafin of San Francisco, California; two grandchildren, Isaac Peer and Titus Chafin.  He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Warren Wilson.

Funeral services for Elton J. Wilson will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 28, 2015 at Farmer United Methodist Church, 09926 State Route 249, Farmer with Rev. Ron Adkins, II, officiating.  Interment will follow in Farmer Cemetery with Military Graveside Rites conducted by the Farmer American Legion Post 137.  Visitation for Elton will be held two hours prior to the service on Monday at the church, beginning at 9:00 a.m.  Arrangements are under the care of Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, 206 North Lynn Street, Bryan.

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider donations made in Elton’s name be given to Farmer United Methodist Church, Farmer American Legion Post #137 or to Honor Flight of Northwest Ohio.