Lonnie Wright

Bluffton

Lonnie Wright, 97, formerly of Ada, died at 7:55 p.m. Oct. 6, 2008, at the Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton.

He was born July 10, 1911, in Prestonsburg, Ky., to Harrison and Lula Whitaker Wright, who preceded him in death. On Oct. 25, 1946, he married Evelyn A. Anderson, who survives in Bluffton.

Mr. Wright retired in 1973 as a salesman from Highway Oil Co., Ada. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Ada. He was a member of Latham Lodge 154 Free & Accepted Masons, Kenton, the United Wagon Train for more than 15 years, and the Northwest Garden Pond Society. He had been a member of Chapter 6 Order of Eastern Star, Lodge 344 Free & Accepted Masons, where he was a past master in 1960, and Chapter 138 Royal Arch Masons, where he was a past high priest in 1968, all in Ada. He had also been a member of Council 65 Royal & Select Masons and Kenton Commandery Knights Templar 58, both in Kenton. He had been a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Columbus. He was an Army veteran of World War II.

Survivors also include a son, Michael (Opie) Wright, of Bluffton; a sister, Irene Caudill, of Lafayette; six grandchildren, Amy (Mike) Kinn, Bradley (fiancée Amber Beasley) Wright, David Pence, Sherry Pence, Deborah Pence and Stephanie Pence; and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Rosemary (David) Pence; a grandson, Brian Wright; eight brothers, Sam, Willie, Birl, Fred, Brice, Herman, Hershel and Lawrence Wright; four sisters, Josie Hughes, Lee Prater, Myrtle Holbrook and Nora Ramey.

Services will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Ada. The Rev. Richard Beasley will officiate. Burial will be in Preston Cemetery, Alger.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today and until time of services Thursday at the funeral home, where a Masonic service will be held at 8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the Alzheimer's Association.

Condolences may be sent to hansonneely@wcoil.com.