James Ellis Lehner, 86, Inventor
James Ellis Lehner, 86 of Vermilion, died Sunday, March 1, 2009 in Community Health Partners West after a sudden illness.
He was born Sept. 12, 1922 in Norton, Ohio. He has been a Vermilion resident for the past 51 years moving from Delaware, Ohio.
He was a veteran of the United States Army serving during World War II. He fought in the Battle of Bulge and received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
He started his career working as a butcher and experimented with bone cutting equipment. He then worked for Betcher Industries, Birmingham, and became the Vice President in charge of foreign sales for 35 years. He also worked as a manager of the Pemberton Ltd Co. of Ontario, Canada and was in charge of US sales for 10 years. He was an inventor and created a patty making machine which was the fastest and most efficient hamburger patty making machine ever made.
He enjoyed politics and consulted for Kyle Motors, Vermilion was an auction buyer.
He was a member of Vermilion United Church of Christ Congregational, AMVETS Post 22 and Ely Lodge #424. He enjoyed restoring antique cars and won many awards as a member of the Antique Automobile Association. He had his private pilots license and was instrument rated. He had a hog farm in Norwalk. He enjoyed fishing and gardening.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Patricia (nee Howard); sons, Charles Lehner and John Lehner both of Lorain; grandsons, James, Jay and Zachary Lehner; granddaughter, Erica (Lehner) Schrenkel; 3 great grandchildren, Deanna Gardinier, Jessica Schrenkel and James Schrenkel, II; and 3 brothers, Bill Lehner of Port Clinton, Chuck Lehner of Radnor, OH and David Lehner of Radnor, OH.
He was preceded in death by a son, James H. Lehner on August 15, 2004; and his parents, Ellis and Gladys (nee Bailey) Lehner.
Friends may call Wednesday, March 4, 2009 from 4 - 7 p.m. at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, Ohio. The Vermilion Veterans Council will conduct military services at 6:30 p.m.
Funeral services will be Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 11 a.m. Reverend Brian Kyle, Pastor of the Covenant Church, White Hall, Michigan, will officiate. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, Vermilion.
Contributions may be made to the National MS Society Northwestern Ohio, 401 Tomahawk Drive, Maumee, Ohio 43537.
Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.