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BORN
1935
DIED
2016
FUNERAL HOME
Elton Lehman Obituary
The final door opened for Dr. Elton D. Lehman, D.O., 81, of Mount Eaton, when he passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016 at his home. He was born near Kidron on August 19, 1935 to the late Sylvester A. and Martha (Bixler) Lehman and married Phyllis A. Schloneger on June 15, 1963. She survives. He was a graduate of Eastern Mennonite High School and Eastern Mennonite University and earned his D.O. degree in 1963 from Midwest University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. Following an internship at the former Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital, he practiced family medicine in Mount Eaton from 1964 to 2004. He served on the staff at the former Doctors Hospital from 1964 – 2004 and on its board of trustees. He served as the medical director of Country Lawn Nursing Home for many years and had previously served as a Deputy Coroner for Wayne County.
Dr. Lehman was instrumental in the founding of the first free standing birthing center in the area known as the Mount Eaton Care Center. He served on its board of directors and as its medical director for many years. He authored and co-authored numerous articles and books related to his rural medical practice in Amish country. In 1998, Dr. Lehman was recognized as the Country Doctor of the Year by Staff Care, Inc. He also served on the board for the Wayne County Health Department, William McKinley Mental Health Society, Association of Birth Centers of Ohio, Mental Health and Recovery Board of Wayne and Holmes Counties, Austin Bailey Foundation and the Lighthouse of Hope. He had served as a councilman for the Village of Mount Eaton from 1973-1984 and as mayor from 1984-1999. He was a charter member and former president of the Mount Eaton-Paint Township Historical Society. He was a member of the Kidron Mennonite Church and served on numerous short term medical mission trips. He also served as a volunteer at the Viola Startzman Free Clinic.
In addition to wife, Phyllis, he is survived by children, Brenda (the late Dr. John) Benner, Dr. Brent (Claudia) Lehman and Beverly Lehman; grandsons, Andre, Adrien and Aaron Lehman; sisters, Florine (Lester) Yoder, Doris (Dan) Cartwright, Ruth (Roy) Bontrager, Janelle (Gerald) Gould, Carol (Edward) Burkholder, Geraldine (the late Gerald) Mumaw and Elizabeth (David) Wiebe; brothers, Merlin (the late Janet), Larry Lehman and Donald (Ruth) Lehman; and a sister-in-law, Arlene Lehman. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by son-in-law, John Benner; and brother, David Lehman.
Through his passion for medicine and his love of others, Dr. Lehman has donated his body to the Ohio University Medical College. A service to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Kidron Mennonite Church, 3987 Kidron Road, Kidron. Friends may call on Friday from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. at the church or on Saturday from 9-10:30 a.m. prior to the service. Spidell Funeral Home in Mount Eaton is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mount Eaton Care Center, P.O. Box 177, Mount Eaton, OH 44659 or the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), P.O. Box 500, Akron, PA 17501 or the Austin-Bailey Health and Wellness Foundation, 2719 Fulton Road NW, Suite D, Canton, OH 44718.
Spidell-Mount Eaton
330-359-5252
www.spidellfuneralhome.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Elton Lehman
Roberta Leyrer
April 26, 2017
Dear Mrs. Lehman,
I did not realize your dear husband had gone to glory. Tears sprang to my eyes when I saw this. I was searching to see if any other books had been written about him. The last gift my mother gave me before she died was his book, House Calls and Hitching Posts. I must have read it at least one hundred times. I cannot begin to tell you how it comforts me and how very much I enjoy it.
He is with Jesus now and probably serving in Heaven. You must miss him very much but I know you take comfort because you will see him again one fine day.
Love,
Roberta
Marti Kasovac
December 3, 2016
Dear Phylis, Not sure if you remember me, but my husband graduated with Elton from CCOM. His name was Mitch Kasovac. My name is Marti. I remember meeting you and I just saw Eltn's memory page. Mitch died three years ago in April. After he died I decided t join n thePeace Corps and I have one more year of a 27 month service. I am in Armenia and enjoying it.
I just wanted you to know you and your family are being remembered and n my prayers. Memory Eternal, Marti Kasovac
Thomas Sutter
November 24, 2016
Elton was an amazing physician and served as a mentor to me. Always generous and kind. A truely special person. Deb and I send greetings and prayers to Phyllis and the rest of the family. I bet he mentored many others as well.
Tom and Deb Sutter
Urbana, illinois
November 18, 2016
A lab partner and long time friend one of the kindest physicians That I had the opportunity to know. Kenneth J Kurt DO
David Bitonte
November 17, 2016
While I did not know Dr. Lehman well, as I attended Osteopathic meetings, state and local, I got to know his smiling, sincere and quiet personality. I will miss seeing him at our meetings.
David Bitonte, DO
OOA Vice Speaker of the House
8th District member
Jim King
November 17, 2016
I will always remember Elton as a kind, quiet classmate who always had a good word to say about everyone.
Jim King, CCO 63
Shelley Amstutz-Szalay
October 29, 2016
I was lucky enough to be brought into this world and cared for as a child by Dr. Lehman. He compassionately and tirelessly served his patients and his community in ways that cannot be measured. I was always touched that he continued to ask after me even after I left the area. My thoughts are with his family and the town of Mt. Eaton.
October 27, 2016
Dr. Lehman's contributions will be remembered by those of us who worked with him for so many years. Our love and respect for him will endure forever. He will be missed by many. Thanks for your many contributions to mankind with your love of people, your generosity and your service. His love and dedication to his family has also been a hallmark to his existence.
God be with this family at this time of sorrow.
David W. Smith, D.O.
Orthopedic Surgeon
Ron Bierman
October 27, 2016
My deepest condolences to the Lehman family. I got to know Dr. Lehman when I was the CEO of Affinity Medical Center. I have never met a more compassionate and caring physician. He gave me a signed copy of his book "House Calls and Hitching Posts". I have read it twice, I am going to read it again! This book sums up the life of a truly special man who helped so many.
Rest in Peace Dr. Lehman.
Ron Bierman
Karl & Bonnie Kiener
October 27, 2016
Bonnie and I want to send our sincere condolences to Phyllis and the entire Lehman family. May all of you find peace during this time. God Bless each of you in a very special way today and always.
Betsy Mack
October 26, 2016
I worked with Dr. Lehman at Doctors Hospital about 25 years ago. He was a wonderful Doctor who the hospital staff and all of his patients loved and respected. He will be greatly missed but welcomed in Heaven. My sympathies to his family. Betsy Mack, RN
Bill and Charmagne Border
October 26, 2016
Dr Lehman was a friend and family physician to my husband's family for many years. This continued right into our own family for a number of years. He was a kind and dear person to all of us..Condolences to his family members. I am sure you will miss him.
Kathy Brediger Hansen
October 26, 2016
Dr. Lehman was my doctor when I was a child. Still remember making the trip to Mt. Eaton to see him. He was a great physician. Condolences to his family.
Charlotte Evans-Barcus
October 26, 2016
What a wonderful, kind and compassionate man and physician Dr Lehman was. No matter what capacity one was dealing with him at Doctors Hospital, he always had a kind word and encouragement to pass along. He was a blessing to so many of his patients as well as to the hospitals and services he supported. My sympathies to his family and all those who love and were touched by this most special man. He will be missed!
Judith Yeager
October 26, 2016
Phyllis, I am sorry to hear of Elton's passing, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Tom and Judy Yeager
Lowell and joyce Miller
October 26, 2016
We were shocked to hear of Eltons passing our thoughts and prayers our with you and family
Pauline Arwood
October 26, 2016
Phyllis, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Jan/Maynard Brubacher
October 26, 2016
Our sympathies to your family. We learned to know Elton and Phyllis and Brenda through Laurelville and appreciated your talents and gifts and the way you all lived out your faith serving others. After reading Elton's book on his experiences being the Amish Dr in the Mt Eaton area, I had a new appreciation for his ministry there. We certainly will miss him too and will keep all of you in our prayers
October 26, 2016
A light for your journey. My condolences to the Lehman family.
Hope Saunier
October 26, 2016
God Bless
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