Lewis Hefner,

Lewis Harold Hefner Sr. 89, died at 2:45 p.m. February 8, 2009, at The Ridge at Shawnee, surrounded by his loving wife and family. He was born April 23, 1919, in Lima, Ohio to Benjamin V. and Tessie Mae Sprague Hefner, who preceded him in death. On July 11, 1945, at St. John Catholic Church, Lima, he married Helen R. Fornefeld, who survives, in Lima, Ohio. They were married for 63 years. Mr. Hefner had worked as an assembler and in the storeroom of Superior Coach for 39 years. He was a member of St. Gerard Catholic Church. He was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1275 and was registered on the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. He was an Army veteran serving as a technical sergeant with Company C, 934th Signal Battalion and 436th Signal Battalion, from April 1, 1941, to September 6, 1945. He loved fishing and camping. He loved spending time with his family, especially joking with his son-in-law, Joe. Survivors also include a daughter, Sharon A. (Joseph) Martarello, of Elida, Ohio; two sons, Lewis H. (Pam) Hefner Jr., of Palmer, Alaska, and Donald D. (Toree) Hefner, of Spencerville, Ohio; three grandchildren, Cory Hefner, of Bullhead City, Arizona, Debby (Dalibor) Hradek, of Bradenton, Florida, and JoAnn (Kyle) Koontz, of Parrish, Florida; and a great-grandson, Federico Hradek, of Bradenton, Forida. He was preceded in death by two brothers, P.O. Hefner and Ben Hefner; and three sisters, Iva Stoner, Velma Lawson and Wanda Tippie. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Gerard Catholic Church. The Rev. Joy Poonoly will officiate. Burial will be in Gethsemani Cemetery, with military rites by VFW Post 1275. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home, where a wake service will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Condolences may be expressed at www.chamber lainhuckeriede.com.