Lawrence Alan Bigler

Lawrence Alan Bigler LITHOPOLIS: Lawrence Alan Bigler, 72, of Lithopolis, Ohio, passed away December 4, 2011.

He was born February 28, 1939 in Columbus, Ohio to Harry Edward Bigler and Wilda Ileen Gearheart Bigler. Larry was a member of the St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lithopolis where he served on the Church Council. He was a life member of the West High School Alumni where he graduated in the Class of 1957. He was retired from the Columbus Division of Police as a Sergeant serving for over 26 years. He was a life member of Capital City Lodge #9 FOP. He was a member of the Police & Fire Retirees of Ohio. He & his wife owned the Pickerington, OH Dairy Queen from 1985 to 1994. He worked on the grounds crew for the Columbus Country Club, drove a school bus for Pickerington Schools, was a Bureau Commander for the Fairfield County Sheriff's Office from 2001 to 2005 and then was one of the leaders of the Sheriff's Appraisal Unit. He was a veteran of the United States Navy Reserve for six years. He was a life member of the VFW Post 10523 and a member of The American Legion Post 677. He was a life member of Magnolia Lodge #20, F & AM and served as the Master of the Lodge in 1973, 1986, & 1987. He was the Lodge's Secretary from 1990 to 2002. He also served as Trustee, Treasurer and Chaplain. He was a life member of the AASR, Valley of Columbus where he was active in the 20th Degree for many years. He was a member of Ohio Chapter #12 RAM. Throughout the years Larry served on numerous civic boards. He was President of Village Council, Lithopolis, Ohio and served since 2010.

He is survived by his childhood sweetheart of over 55 years and loving wife, Ruth Leeann Holstein Bigler; and his daughter, Michelle Marie Rogers, son-in-law, John Horton Rogers; grandson, Christopher Ryan (Loretta) Bryan; and two great granddaughters, Kami & Katie; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Kenneth Bigler; and sister, Helen Kathleen Bigler Gibson.

It was Larry's wish to be cremated and a memorial service of celebration to be held at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 133 W. South St., Lithopolis, OH. The service will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday, December 8, Pastor Joe Wolf officiating. A private interment will be held at Glen Rest Cemetery in Reynoldsburg, OH.

IN LIEU of flowers, contributions can be made to Larry's favorite charity, the SMILE TRAIN, P.O. Box 96231, Washington, DC 20090-6231 where he has been a partner since 2008 or to M.A.C.C. (Musicians Against Childhood Cancer), The St. Jude's Hospital, Alzheimer's, the James Cancer Research Hospital at Ohio State University, or FairHoPe Hospice.