Harold Andrews earned three battle stars in World War II

  • /

Harold E. Andrews, 90, died at 2:30 a.m. June 21, 2013, at Lima Memorial Health System.  He was born July 15, 1922, in Bluffton to the late Paul and Clara (Fett) Andrews.

He attended the Phillips one room school until fourth grade. He later graduated from Beaverdam High School in 1940. After graduating from high school he helped farm on the family farm until he entered the U.S. Army where he was a communications operator serving with the 505 PIR 82nd Airborne Division E. Company 2nd Battalion.

He found in WWII during the European Theatre where he received three battle stars for parachuting over Normandy and Operation Market Garden in Holland.  He also fought in the Battle of the Bulge where he suffered from frost bitten feet from the trenches.

After the war he met his wife, Helen Marie Shaw, and were married April 22, 1951, and shared 61 years together until her death in Dec. 6, 2012.  They had four children Rose (Tom) Harvey of Willard, Elaine (John) Sommers of Bluffton, Eileen (Mike) Falk of Bluffton, Frank (Heidi) Andrews of Findlay; seven grandchildren Jacob, Brandie, Jackie, Daniel, Reed, Katie, Adriane; nine great grandchildren Cade, Kylie, Griffin, Kendall, Matthew, Wesley, Blake, Brooklyn, Braxton; and one brother Frederick P. Andrews of Beaverdam.

Two brothers Robert D. Andrews and Glen P. Andrews; a sister Janet Holloway and a grandson Ryan Sommers preceded him in death.

Mr. Andrews worked many places including FC Russell Co., Pandora, BLH, Lima, and retired from Ex-Cello Corporation after 25 years. 

He was a member of Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Bluffton, and was a member of American Legion Post #382, Bluffton and the VFW Post #1275, Lima.

Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton.  Rev. David Plant officiating.  Burial will be in Emmanuel United Church Cemetery, Bluffton.  Visitation will be Sunday from 2-4 pm at the funeral home. 

Memorial contributions may be made to American Legion Post #382 or Emmanuel United Church of Christ.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com