Louis Leidy

LOUIS LEIDY

LIMA — Louis "Lou" E. Leidy, 86, died Wednesday, January 20, 2016, at the Meadows of Kalida.

He was born May 28, 1929, in Kalida, Ohio, to Chester Ancel and Ellen Belle (Smith) Leidy, both of whom preceded him in death. On December 28, 1957, he married Helen M. Musser. She died on November 6, 2014.

Lou is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth "Beth" (Harry) Yeprem, of Columbus, Ohio; one brother in-law, Warren (Dorothy) Musser of Lima and one step brother in-law, Robert (Bettye) Johnson, Wapakoneta. He also survived by several nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and very special friends, Al and Janice Siebeneck of Kalida.

After graduating from Kalida High School, Lou entered the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean Conflict. He had been a life member of both the Kalida Fire Department, and the Bath Township Fire Department, where he earned the nickname of "Axe Man", because at every fire you could find him on the roof with the axe. Retiring from the Lima Engine, Ford Motor Company, after 40 years, "Lighting Lou" always rode a bicycle around the plant, served on the Fire Department and even after retirement would give tours of the plant.

His memberships included the Cairo United Methodist Church and the VFW Post 1275, Lima. He had played softball for over 55 years, with the UAW #1219 team and the Lima Senior Olympic team, making it to the state tournament, along with many other local teams. Lou was a member of the Kalida Rod and Gun Club. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was a life long fan of the Kalida basketball program.

A humanitarian, and feeling strongly about contributing to the betterment of America, Lou was a volunteer with the American Red Cross. He worked helping with clean up after hurricanes in Puerto Rico and Louisiana (Katrina), and in New York City, following the carnage of 9-11-2001.

He was preceded in death by three brothers: Richard who died in WWII, Bill (Mary) Leidy, and Gene (Oleta) Leidy.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, January 23, 2016, at Hartman Sons Funeral Home, Columbus Grove. Pastors Rich Rakay and Ruth Ann Scoby will co-officiate. Burial will follow in Bluelick Cemetery, Lima, where military rites will be presented by the Lima VFW Post #1275.

Friends may call on Friday, from 2:00-4:00 & 6:00-8:00 p.m., at Hartman Sons Funeral Home, Columbus Grove, and one hour prior to the service on Saturday,

To honor the life and memory of Mr. Leidy, please make your donations to the Cairo United Methodist Church, and the Bath Township Fire and Rescue Department.

Online condolences may be expressed at hartmansonsfuneralhome.com.