Lewis Ort, 98

Lewis R. Ort, 98 years, of Bryan, and formerly of New Hill, North Carolina, passed away Thursday, May 21, 2015 at Hillside County Living, Bryan, with his family at his side.  Lewis was born April 17, 1917 in Defiance, Ohio, the son of the late Roy A. and Olive (Newton) Ort.  He was a 1935 graduate of Defiance High School.  He married Kathryn L. Stenger on March 24, 1942 in Toledo, Ohio.  A week after their marriage, Lewis was drafted into the United States Army where he participated in the Invasion of Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns.  He was discharged on November 19, 1945.  After his discharge from the Army, Lewis was hired by the Ohio Gas Company where he retired Vice President of Operations in 1982 after 37 years of service.  Lewis was a member of the Bryan First Presbyterian Church, where he served on the Board of Sessions and the Cary Presbyterian Church, Cary, North Carolina.  He was also a member of the Bryan Kiwanis Club where he served as President.  Lewis was also a proud member of the Bryan American Legion Post 284.  Lewis was an accomplished carpenter, building their home on Avenue A.  Even after retirement, Lewis tinkered and fixed many things.

Preceded in death by his wife Kathryn on July 1, 2010 and his son, Jon, three brothers, Robert, Jim and Wayne Ort and one sister, Margaret Sabo,  Lewis is survived by three grandchildren, Hunter Ort and her fiancé Jordan Babwah of Durham, North Carolina,  Katie (Brian) Pegram of Raleigh, North Carolina  and Brad Thompson and his fiancée, Jenny Ragone; their mother, Debbie Ort of Raleigh, North Carolina; niece, Barbara (Ramon) Alpaugh of Bryan, Ohio, and his brother-in-law, Bill Sabo of Defiance, Ohio.  He is also survived by several great nieces and great nephews.

Visitation for Lewis R. Ort will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 in the Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, 206 North Lynn Street, Bryan Funeral services for Lewis R. Ort will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at First Presbyterian Church, 506 Oxford Drive, Bryan, with Pastor Ric Beals officiating.  Interment will follow in Fountain Grove Cemetery, Bryan with Military Graveside Rites conducted by Bryan American Legion Post 284. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church.

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions be made to the First Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund 506 Oxford Drive, Bryan, Ohio 43506 or to the Williams County Veterans Memorial Building, 875 East Main Street, Montpelier, Ohio 43543.