Thane J. LECHLITNER, passed away, with his children by his side, on Friday, July 26, 2019, 93 years of age.
Loving husband for 70 years of Laura (nee Kluender)(deceased). Father of Sharon Messal and Thane Mark (Paula) Lechlitner. Grandfather of Julie Gardner (RT), Heather Messal, Scarlett Messal (deceased), J. Landon Messal (Carrie), Eric and Marc (Lauren) Lechlitner. Great Grandfather to R. Tennant and Elizabeth Gardner, Cora, Quinn and Emily Messal. Brother of Maxine (Hunsberger) Gene(deceased).
Born in Elkhart, Indiana, a descendant of Swiss Mennonites. By train his family moved to Cleveland in 1936, to work on the New York Central Railroad. A Shaw High School graduate, he became an Air Crewman, Navy Air Corp. Stationed Hickam Air Field, Hawaii, serving in the Pacific and China, flying and occasionally crashing, Martin Patrol Bomber PBM-5 squadrons as Navigator/Mechanic.
He attended Case Institute and Fenn Technical College, working for Euclid Road Machinery Co, later known as Euclid Inc, 1947. 1950 he was recalled to the Navy for the Korean War, completing 8 years of service. 1953 he became the first GM Test Technician. 1963 he was appointed Foreman of the Test Engineering Lab specializing in material stress analysis, in Hudson, OH Terex Corporation, GM. He retired in 1980 after 38 ½ years. In retirement he sold instrumentation, until 1993.
Dad loved the Indians and a cold beer; a good joke and funny cards. He was an avid golfer and poker player and longtime member of the ReTerex retirees.
Memorial Services at The Zabor Funeral Home, 5680 Pearl Rd. Parma (betw. Snow & Ridge), Saturday, August 24, 2019. 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Visitation, 11:30 a.m. Service and military honors. Burial at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to Wounded Warriors Project is appreciated. To offer condolences visit www.ZaborFH.com