Lee O. Carpenter, age 98, passed away on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 at 10:09 a.m. at Lima Memorial Health System.

          He was born on February 15, 1920 in Deerfield, Missouri to the late Albert and Rachel (Winders) Carpenter.  On June 3, 1942 Lee married Martha Jane Spiegel and she preceded him in death on November 26, 2008 after 66 years of marriage. 

          Lee retired from the Rawls Division of National Standard, where he was a inventor, salesman, and welder.  He was a member of the Epworth United Methodist Church of Bucyrus.  He was an avid fisherman and was very knowledgeable with boats.  He often told others about the best place to fish, Lake Erie.  Lee served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII and was in five landings in the Phillippines and the South Pacific.  He enjoyed life, always had a story and had a positive outlook on life.  He will be sadly missed by family and friends.

          Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Jane (Rick) Crace of Ada; a granddaughter, Kelley (Danielle) Crace of Westerville; a half brother, Charles Lavelock of Arkansas; several nieces and nephews; along with lifetime friends, Giles and Peg Essinger of Port Clinton. 

          He was preceded in death by a brother, George Lavelock; two sisters, Mabel Reed and Bernice Rogers; and a half brother, Roger Lavelock. 

          Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 29, at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Ada with Deacon J. Michael Hood officiating.   Military Honors will be conducted by the Ada VFW Post #9381 Honor Guard.  A private family burial will be in Brokensword Cemetery, Brokensword, Ohio. 

          Friends may call two hours prior to the service from 9:00-11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 29, at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Ada.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Putnam County Hospice and/or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.