Roena Bayes, 106 years of Bryan, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, in her residence with those she loved at her side. Roena was born August 27, 1918, in Farmer, Ohio, the daughter of the late Harold Leroy “Roy” and Sarah Ellen (Fickle) Bayes. She was a 1936 graduate of Farmer High School and continued her education receiving her bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University. Roena began her teaching career in a one room schoolhouse in Milford Township. She then moved to teach in the Hicksville Schools and Farmer Elementary School. She interrupted her career in 1943 to serve in the United States Army. Her first assignment was at Minter Air Force Base in California. After one year, Roena received her “overseas orders” and arrived at Gourock, Scotland on the RMS Queen Elizabeth. In the European Theater of Operations, Roena was assigned to the 8th Air Force Composite Command at Cheddington, England. In 1945, Roena was reassigned to France where she sent to the small town of Chantilly, north of Paris. Here they joined a squadron of the 9th Air Force personnel. Each morning an Army bus took them to the large building on the Rothschild Estate that had been a German Headquarters. Three weeks after V-E Day, Roena flew into Germany as part of occupation troops. She attained the rank of Corporal until her Honorable Discharge in 1945. Roena went back to Hicksville Schools to teach until 1949. In 1950, Roena became a Medical Technician for the National Institute of Health in Washington DC, serving for 30 years, retiring in 1980. She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Bryan, Ohio. Roena was a Past National President, 1999-2000, of the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, 1861-1865. Roena was inducted as a member of the American Legion Twenty and Four-The National Society of Women Legionnaires. She was also a member of the Defiance County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society and was a member of the Joel Frost Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Roena served as a Past Commander of the Jacob Jones American Legion Post #2, Washington D.C., and the Bryan VFW Post 2489.
Preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Hollis L., and Albert W. Bayes: one nephew, Darrell Bayes. Nephew, Darwin (Sheila) Bayes and many other nephews, nieces, and cousins survive.
Visitation for Roena Bayes will be held Friday, September 27, 2024, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, 206 North Lynn Street, Bryan. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 28, 2024, in St. Patrick Catholic Church with Father Stanberry officiating. Interment will follow in Farmer Cemetery with Military Graveside Rites accorded by a combined unit from the Farmer American Legion Post 137, Sherwood VFW Post 5665, and the Hicksville American Legion Post 223.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions be made to Farmer American Legion Post 137.
Condolences may be sent to the family or memories may be shared at www.oberlinturnbull.com
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