Harold Thomas DeWeese Jr.

DeWeese Harold Thomas DeWeese, Jr., 94, passed away peacefully on 4 October 2016 after a prolonged illness, being care for by his loving wife, May these past 2 years. Harold was born in Columbus, Ohio 30 August 1922 the oldest of eight children to Harold Sr. and Charlotte DeWeese. He attended and graduated from East High School in 1941. Harold was selected by the Saint Louis Cardinals to attend their summer camp in 1942 which was cut short by WWII. A WWII Veteran, he served in the US Navy participating in the Normandy Invasion and the Battle of Okinawa. He returned home in March 1946 having achieved the rank of Signalman 1st Class Petty Officer and remained in the Naval Reserves until 1956. His decorations and awards include the Victory WWII Medal; National Defense Service Medal; America Defense Service Medal, The American Campaign Medal; The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and the Navy Good Conduct Medal. Upon his return to civilian life he married Clara Mae Reid on September 10, 1946. Harold was an active member of the Grove City Community, serving as one of the first 7 U.S. Postal Workers in Grove City, a position he held for over 35 years and was one of the first volunteer firefighters for Jackson Township. Harold was also actively involved in politics as he ran for City Council several times. He was a strong advocate for Children safety, especially for those who had to walk to school in areas where sidewalks were not present. Harold never lost his love of baseball, an avid baseball and softball player he was actively playing in several Grove City Leagues until he was 90. During the 1950s and 1960's he participated in the Grove City Parks and Recreation's Little League Program as both a coach and umpire. He was an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion Post 164. He served as the Chairman of the American Legion Annual Memorial Day Parades for several years, helping to expand the parade and promoting the memory of those who served their city and country. He was also a 60 year member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. Harold is precedent in death by his parents Harold Sr. and Charlotte, his first wife Clara of 52 years, his second wife Liz, his brother John, his sisters Louise, Mary, Charlotte and Shirley and his beloved grandson Matthew. He is survived by his present wife, May; his brothers, Richard and Raymond; his five children, Commander Harold (Marsha), Rosalie (Rodney), Eugene (Pat), Douglas (Marla), Ralene (Jim); his grandchildren, Amy (Brian), Jeanene (Lewis), Bryan, Justin (Caitlin), Kristin (Joe), Kyle (Joy) and Alex; great grandchildren, Madelyn, Calvin, Lily, Kyler, Keaton, Dominic, Liam and Lewis IV; daughter, Connie (Victor); granddaughters, Ashlie, Ciara and her grandson, Devin; and great-grandsons, Henry and William. Viewing will be held Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at THE SPENCE-MILLER FUNERAL HOME, 2697 Columbus St., Grove City, OH, where funeral will be held 10 a.m. Monday. Interment will follow the services at Grove City Cemetery in the DeWeese Family plot, with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, it was Harold's request for donations to be made to The Fisher House Foundation, as they provide no-cost comfort homes near military hospitals for military families during treatment at www.fisherhouse.org Online condolences may be left at www.spencemillerfuneralhome.com