COLUMBIA CITY – Claude Ousley, 78, of Columbia City, passed away at 9:17 p.m. July 6, 2012, in his residence.
He was born April 25, 1934, in Risner, Ky., to James Lee and Nancy Jane Pitts Ousley. On Feb. 2, 1963, in Silver Lake, he married Vonda Tillman, who survives.
He graduated from Prestonsburg High School in 1953. Shortly after graduation, he moved to Indiana. He served in the U.S. Army and National Guard. He worked at White Metal Rolling and Stamping, Warsaw; owned and operated Silver Lake Skating Rink for several years; retired with 30 years of service from International Harvester, also known as Navistar, at Springfield, Ohio; and managed Tillman’s Trailer Court for 22 years. In his spare time, he loved singing Country Western and Blue Grass music and riding his motorcycles and horses. He was a member of New Hope Wesleyan Church.
Also surviving are three daughters, Brenda (and spouse Rick) Reynolds and Teri Lynn (and spouse Chad) Fields, all of Columbia City, and Janie (and spouse Curt) Salisbury, Prestonsburg, Ky.; a daughter-in-law, Teresa Ousley; grandchildren: Kyle, Alyssa and Andrew Reynolds, Ryan and Adam Ousley and Nolan and Violet Fields, all of Columbia City; Ricky McGuire, Ohio; and Kayla Tackett and Ariel and Danielle Salisbury, all of Prestonsburg; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Evie (and spouse George) Thornsbury, Prestonsburg; and two brothers, Gardis (and spouse Maudie) Ousley, Prestonsburg, and Edgel (and spouse Sandra) Ousley, Mentone. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Martin Ousley, who died Feb. 2, 2010; brothers, Adam, Vernon and James Elva Ousley; and an infant sister, Lizzie Ousley.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, with Pastor Jason Tash and the Rev. Barry Faucett officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
Calling is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials may be given to New Hope Wesleyan Church.
