Tuesday, June 30th, 2015
LeRoy Claybaker
LeRoy Arnold Claybaker, 91, of St. Marys, Ohio died Sunday, June 28, 2015 at Otterbein St. Marys.
He was born April 16, 1924 in Newkirk, Oklahoma to Arnold and Martha Katherine (Deffner) Claybaker, wheat and cattle farmers. After a one year engagement, he married Juanita Alice Armstrong on November 2, 1945 in New York City.
She survives him, as do his daughters Deborah (Richard) Green of St. Marys, Ohio, and Constance Ann Claybaker of West Bloomfield, Michigan. He is also survived by his brother, Max (Dorothy Nell) Claybaker of Blackwell, Oklahoma.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He was a graduate of Blackwell High School (class of 1942) and the University of Oklahoma (class of 1945) where he earned a degree in Chemical Engineering.
He was a proud veteran of the United States Navy, having served as a Supply and Disbursing Officer during World War II.
After the war he was recruited by the General Electric Corporation and worked 44 years in their plastics division at locations in Pittsfield, Massachusetts and Coshocton, Ohio.
He was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church where he served as Council President of three separate congregations.
His pastimes included woodworking, stamp collecting, and jewelry making. In addition, he spent countless hours acquiring an extensive, catalogued, and storied collection of minerals and Native American artifacts.
Funeral services for Mr. Claybaker are scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 2, 2015 at Otterbein St Marys (Meyer Community Chapel) with Reverend Vincent Lavieri officiating. Burial with full graveside military honors will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery in St. Marys.
Visitation begins one hour prior to services on Thursday at Otterbein.
Memorial contributions may be directed to: Otterbein St. Marys Partner Appreciation Fund, 11300 Yost Circle, St. Marys, Ohio 45885.
Online condolences may be expressed via: www.millerfuneralhomes.net.
Arrangements are entrusted to Miller Funeral Homes in St. Marys.
