COLUMBIA CITY – Chief Master Sgt. Harold R. Lehman, U.S.A.F. retired, 91, Columbia City, passed away at 7:57 a.m. Dec. 23, 2015 at Parkview Whitley Hospital. He was born April 30, 1924, in Milford, to Chris H. and Dorothy B. Ringler Lehman. On April 19, 1947, in Germany, he married Lucienne Eichberger, who preceded him in death. After the loss of his first wife, on Feb. 21, 2010, he married Mary Lou Pittenger, who survives. He had been a resident of Whitley County since 1941. He attended Kimmell and Cromwell High School. He served 12 years in the U.S. Army and 21 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a chief from the Indiana Air National Guard in 1984. He was a member of the American Legion, Indiana Sheriffs Association, Eagles Air Force Sergeant Association, Masonic Lodge, Shriners and the Scottish Rite. Surviving are his children: Harold C. (and spouse Sharon) Lehman, Pierceton; Gloria L. (and spouse Ron) Drudge, Fort Wayne; Charles E. (and spouse Linda) Lehman, Churubusco; Martha (and spouse Jim) Acres, Columbia City; and Josephine A. (and spouse Brian) Sherman, Waynetown; a brother, Kenneth (and spouse Elsie) Lehman, Columbia City; three sisters: Dorothy Smith, Columbia City; Mary (Esta) Martz, Ocala, Fla.; and Linda (and spouse Gary) Craig, Fort Wayne; 17 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Charles, Jack, Ralph and Larry Lehman; three sisters, Marjorie Judd, Betty Anderson and Ruth Trumbull; and two granddaughters, Ann Marie and Christine Lynn Lehman. Services will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, Columbia City, with Pastor Steve Johnson officiating. Burial will be beside his first wife at a later date at Oak Grove Compton Cemetery. Calling is from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials to American Legion Menzie-Reese Post 258 or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. To read Harold’s life story or to send him online condolences, visit www.demoneygrimes.com
