John Prior

JOHN W. PRIOR, 81, died at 4:06 p.m. May 22, 2006, at Lima Convalescent Home. He was born July 24, 1924, in Van Wert, Ohio to Darrell and Chloe Webb Prior, who preceded him in death. On April 8, 1944, he married Barbara Elizabeth Waymack, who died May 27, 1995. Mr. Prior worked at Standard Oil for 36 years. He was a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church, where he was a greeter, helped with maintenance projects and was known as the "gum man." He was a member of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 54 and Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 370. He had been a member of the Lima Choral Society and served on the PTA council for several years. He was an avid Ohio State fan, mushroom hunter, outdoorsman and a friend to many. Survivors include a son, Steven M. (Ginger) Prior of Monroe, Michigan; a daughter, Karen L. (David) Winters of Lima, Ohio; a sister, Catherine (Howard) Burgess of Cridersville, Ohio; a brother, Richard (Jane) Prior of Palm Springs, California; five grandchildren, Michael A. Driessche, Rachel E. Boyd, Nathan D. Winters, Sarah L. Winters-Closson and Melissa A. Prior; seven great-grandchildren, Joseph Winters, Elizabeth A. Winters, Emma Closson, Penelope Closson, Kennedy Rex, Reagan Winters and Madison Rex; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Timothy Lee Prior; and four brothers, Darrell Prior, Herbert Prior, Raymond Prior and Henry Prior. Services will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Luke Lutheran Church. Pastor Robert Gibson will officiate. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today and 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the youth group at St. Luke Lutheran Church. Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com.