Walter A. Strayer
1/3/1924 – 12/14/2013
Born on Jan. 3, 1924, in Shelby County, Ohio, Mr. Strayer was the son of Edgar and Loverna (Earhart) Strayer. He married Norma Mae Partington on June 10, 1948, and she preceded him in death on Jan. 3, 1999. Together they raised five children: Mary Ann Pence, of Houston, Carol (Bruce) Cron, of Fletcher, Cheryl (Kenneth) Carr, of Sidney, Alan (Kristi) Strayer, of Arcanum, and Janice (Larry) Gockley, of Sidney.
He was a proud grandfather to 14 grandchildren: Rebecca (Kurt) Hawkins, Tonda Pence, Robert (Val) Pence, Dawn (Jim) Covault, Shelly (Rick) Bair, Darin Cron, Nicole (Rob) DeNeff, Craig Carr, Melissa (Keith) Kauffmann, Sally (Chad) Lemons, Emily (TJ) Otto, Brooke Strayer, Christopher Gockley, and Michelle (Travis) Dorsey; 18 great-grandchildren and one stepgrandchild.
In addition to his first wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Beemer, and a son-in-law, Stephen Pence.
On Aug. 25, 2001, Mr. Strayer married Joanna Harrod Kruse and she survives along with four stepchildren, nine stepgrandchildren and five stepgreat-grandchildren.
Mr. Strayer graduated from Sidney High School in 1942. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and the owner of Walter Strayer Construction, a farmer and he raised purebred Yorkshire hogs. Mr. Strayer belonged to the American Legion Post 444 of New Knoxville and was a 50-year member of the Hardin Compromise Grange. He was a former 75-year member of the Oran Congregational Church, Oran, Ohio, and currently a member of the United Methodist Church in New Knoxville.