Lonas Frey Jr.

Pandora - Lonas Frey Jr., 85, of Pandora, died at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 27, 2009, at the Hilty Memorial Home, Pandora.  He was born in Ottawa to Lonas and Bessie Epley Frey Sr. On January 31, 1949 he married Alice Warkentin who survives. 

Mr. Lonas and his family owned and operated the Ohio Dusting Company (aerial applicator) until 1986. He was a life member of the VFW and American Legion Post 63, a member of AOPA and the Quiet Birdman Organization. He was a World War II veteran. He served in the U.S. Navy as a 1st Class Torpedo Man on the destroyer USS O’Brien for four years. He saw action at Normandy Beach and in the Pacific Campaign. After discharge from the Navy, he learned to fly under the GI Bill. Flying became his profession. He pioneered “aerial application” in the State of Ohio, being the oldest crop dusting pilot in the state. He always had a lot of knowledge to pass on to other pilots in general aviation. 

Survivors also include two sons, Gary (Paula) Frey, of Ottawa, and Jeffrey (Kim) Frey, of Bethel; a daughter, Laura (Gary) Luginbill, of Ottawa; five grandchildren, Katy and Aaron Frey, of Chicago, Blake Frey, of Mesa, Ariz., Michelle (Eric) Brough, of Pandora, and Daniel (Candice) Luginbill, of Pandora; a step-granddaughter, Megan Connell, of Ottawa; and six great grandchildren, Kirsten, Kasey and Karmyn Brough, and Ethan, Eli and Corin Luginbill. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Diana Susan Frey; a brother Richard “Bones” Frey; two sisters, Norma Diehl and Francis Bracy, and a half brother, Irvin Conine

Services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. John Mennonite Church, Pandora. Rev. Lynn Thompson will officiate. Burial will be at Harman Cemetery, Gilboa with military rites by the Ottawa American Legion and VFW.  Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Chiles-Laman Funeral Home, Bluffton. Memorial contributions may be made to Putnam County Hospice or St. John Mennonite Church.