In Memory

Howard Lehwald - Class Of 1934

Howard B. Lehwald, 88, of Battle Creek, Mich., died March 17, 2003 at Battle Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

He was born April 19, 1914, in Marcellus, Mich., the son of the Rev. Herman A. and Lily L. Walker Lehwald. He married Mary Marjorie Neil in 1941.

Mr. Lehwald received his bachelor of science degree from Illinois State Normal University in 1939, masters in hospital administration from Washington University in St. Louis in 1948, and he became a Fellow in the American College of Hospital Administration in 1954. He served in the U.S. Navy During World War II as Chief Petty Officer and served on the transport ship USS Hermitage. While living in Springfield, Ill., Mr. Lehwald taught school and coached at Pleasant Hill Grade School. He also taught and coached in Salem, Ohio, before entering the service. After the war he was personnel Manager at Altman Hospital in Canton, Ohio, Assistance Hospital Administrator at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Administrator at War Memorial Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., administrator at St. Lukes Hospital in Marquette, Mich., from 1957-1967, and for 10 years was Administrator at Tampa General Hospital where he retired in 1977. He was a member of Methodist Churches wherever he lived and enjoyed bicycling, jogging, traveling and playing with his grandchildren.

After retiring, he and his wife Mary settled in Lake Wales, Fla., until 1997 when they moved to Battle Creek.

Howard is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary of Battle Creek; three daughters, Bonnie B. Halvorsen of Avon Lake, Ohio, Linda A. Gaball of Battle Creek, and Rebecca J. Levas of Encinitas, Calif.; two sons, Howard B. Lehwald Jr. of Bishop, Calif., and Steven D. Lehwald of Cheyenne; two sisters, Helen R. Davis of Youngstown, Ohio, Dorthea Thompson of Jewitt, Ohio; a brother, Richard P. Lehwald of Wapakoneta, Ohio; 15 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, two sisters and two-step sisters.

Funeral services at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home with Pastor John Hamilton of Laurel United Methodist Church officiating. Burial in Oak Ridge Cemetery where the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County will conduct military honors.

Wyoming Tribune-Eagle (Cheyenne, WY) ` March 23, 2003