Harold R. Lehman

Although he accomplished so much of which to be proud, Harold Lehman was a humble and generous man whose family was his greatest source of pride and joy. He was no stranger to hard work from his earliest years, yet he also took the time to enjoy each moment he was given. Harold was a loving and devoted father who was thrilled beyond measure to witness his family tree blossom to include the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren he adored. A longtime resident of the community he loved, he was the sort of person whom everyone seemed to know. Life will never be the same without Harold here, but his timeless legacy that is deeply rooted in compassion, selfless generosity, and unending service to others will be carried on by those who follow in his footsteps.

It seems only fitting that Harolds journey began during a time that was as vibrant as he was. It was the 1920s when jazz music was hot, the Charleston was among the latest dance crazes, and Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb made baseball Americas favorite pastime. Amidst this exciting time was the year 1924 when Chris H. and Dorothy B. (Ringler) Lehman were delighted to announce the birth of the baby boy they named Harold R. on April 30, 1924, in Milford, Indiana. Raised in Kimmell, he was one of 12 children as he was joined in his family by his brothers, Charles, Jack, Ralph, Larry, and Kenneth, and his sisters, Marjorie, Betty, Ruth, Dorothy, Mary, and Linda. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, Harold stayed with his grandparents at the Lehman farm where he helped milk cows and pick onions. Before he was even a teen, Harold knew the value of hard work as he worked for 10 cents an hour putting in 10 hour days to earn a dollar a day. As a student he attended both Kimmell and Cromwell High School. In 1941, Harold made his move to live in Whitley County.

With a desire to serve his country, Harold lied about his age while still in high school so that he was able to enlist in the United States Army. In 1943, he left for the Europe Theater and went to France with the 100th Division and saw active combat. In 1945, Harold then went to Mannheim, Germany, and in 1947 he transferred to Stuttgart, Germany.

It was while in Stuttgart that he met the young woman who would change the course of his life forever. Her name was Lucienne Eichberger, and she was from France although she had moved to Germany with her family. They fell in love, and on April 19, 1947, they were married in Germany. The following year, they moved back to the United States and Harold enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves, serving until 1961. In 1963, he enlisted in the 122nd Air National Guard at Baer Field in Fort Wayne and served there until he retired as a Chief Master Sergeant in 1984. Throughout his military career, Harold was awarded several military awards including the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Army, American Campaign Medal, Europe-African Middle Eastern CPN Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Army-Occupation Medal and USAF NCO Academy Graduate Ribbon.

In addition to having a full-time military career, Harold worked at Buchanan Ford in Columbia City from 1960 through 1961 when he was offered a job in Indianapolis. He then moved his family down to Indianapolis where he worked at Indiana Gear Works. By 1963, Harold had moved his family back to Columbia City where he worked as the service and parts manager at Whitley County Rambler Sales. From there he joined Dana in Ft. Wayne in 1965, and from 1966 through 1967, Harold worked as a final gear tester and line set up man. From 1967 to 1969, he owned and operated Lehmans Gulf Service Station. By 1969, Harold advanced in the Indiana Air National Guard to Egress Systems and Weapons Release Mechanic on the RF84s-F84s. In 1977, he was named a supervisor Weapons Munitions Section Branch with the F-100s.

Throughout his rich and rewarding life, Harold was a man of many interests. He delighted in his family including his wife, five children, Harold C., Gloria L., Charles E., Martha, and Josephine, and 17 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. A proud American himself, it made Harold equally proud that both of his sons and one grandson also served in the military, making three generations that served our country. He was a great story teller and loved talking history as well as a handyman and gifted mechanic. Harold loved hunting and fishing and was a member of the American Legion, Indiana Sheriffs Association, Eagles Air Force Sergeant Association, Masonic Lodge, Shriners, and the Scottish Rite.

Later in life, Harold experienced both peaks and valleys along his lifes journey. Life would forever change for Harold with the loss of his wife Lucienne. On July 31st, 2007, she would passed away after an extended illness. Life would continue to change for Harold and on February 21, 2010, he married Mary Lou Pittenger. For the past two years, Harold had been living at Oak Point Independent Living where he enjoyed being social and active, regularly driving himself around and visiting with people out in the community.

Hardworking, disciplined, and organized, Harold Lehman was an extraordinary man to know and love. He deeply loved his children and was so proud of them, and his heart was as big as they come. Someone who was generous and kind, Harold was known for helping out anyone in need no matter the circumstances involved. He will never be forgotten.

Chief Master Sgt. Harold R. Lehman, U.S.A.F. Retired, of Columbia City, Indiana, died at 7:57 a.m., Wednesday, December 23, 2015, at Parkview Whitley Hospital. Survivors include his children, Harold C. (Sharon) Lehman of Pierceton, Gloria L. (Ron) Drudge of Fort Wayne, Charles E. (Linda) Lehman of Churubusco, Martha (Jim) Acres of Columbia City, and Josephine A. (Brian) Sherman of Waynetown; brother, Kenneth (Elsie) Lehman of Columbia City; sisters, Dorothy Smith of Columbia City, Mary (Esta) Martz of Ocala, Florida, and Linda (Gary) Craig of Fort Wayne; 17 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and wife, Mary Lou Lehman. Harold was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Lucienne Lehman; brothers, Charles, Jack, Ralph and Larry Lehman; sisters Marjorie Judd, Betty Anderson, and Ruth Trumbull; and two granddaughters, Ann Marie and Christine Lynn Lehman. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 29, 2015, from 4-7 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City with his service to start at 7 p.m. Pastor Steve Johnson will be officiating. Harold will be buried beside his first wife at a later date at Oak Grove (Compton) Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be given in his memory to American Legion Menzie-Reese Post 258 or St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital. To send online condolences, visit www.demoneygrimes.com .