Thomas Willard McElroy

Lima

Thomas Willard McElroy, 63, died at 11:30 a.m. July 22, 2008.

He was born Feb. 7, 1945, in Lima to Willard Edward and Robert June Campbell McElroy, who preceded him in death. He had been married to Lydia McElroy, who survives in Lima.

Mr. McElroy retired as a shop supervisor from Parker-Hannifin, St. Marys. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1275. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving from 1966 to 1967, where he was wounded in combat and awarded the Purple Heart. He enjoyed motorcycling, airplanes and collecting coins and antiques.

Survivors also include two sons, Randy (Joyce) McElroy and Mark (Pauline) McElroy, both of Delphos; five grandchildren, Joshua (Jennifer) McElroy, Megan McElroy, Mark Alan McElroy Jr., Brooke McElroy and Britney McElroy; four stepchildren, Ron (Cindy) Freed, Steve (Teresa) Freed, Benett Freed and Cheryl (Joe) Nagy; 13 stepgrandchildren; 10 stepgreat-grandchildren; two brothers, James McElroy and Larry McElroy, both of Lima; two nieces, Jackie (Greg) Sanders and Sue (Doug) Burds; and two nephews, Steve (Bobbie) McElroy and Dave McElroy.

Services will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at Siferd-Orians Funeral Home, with military rites by VFW Post 1275. The Rev. Dottie Kaiser will officiate. A private burial will be held at a later date in Salem Cemetery, Westminster.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family.