Gerald William Maccombs, 90, U.S. Army Veteran

He was born November 28, 1930 to the late William Porter and Addie (Hankerson) Maccombs.

A 1948 graduate of Buchtel High School, Skeeter learned hard work ethics early on in life when born into a large family of 10 brothers and sisters in Nelsonville, Ohio. Throughout his adulthood, various companies employed him until his retirement from Moen after 5 years as a metal polisher.

He was a member of the Elyria First United Methodist Church for over 50 years, Philodorian Masonic Lodge 157 F&AM Springfield, Ohio for 60 years, and The Elyria VFW Post # 1079. He was a decorated U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War where he honorably served for 2 years as a Medic and held the rank of Technical Sergeant.

A devoted husband married to his beloved wife Virginia (Mroski) Maccombs for 58 years. Skeeter enjoyed the outdoors year-round. During the summer he enjoyed planting his vegetable garden while in the winter, he enjoyed rabbit hunting. His favorite pastime activities included watching sports, especially the Browns, The Ohio State Buckeyes, the Cavaliers, and Indians. He also took advantage of fishing for Lake Erie Perch at every opportunity. He and Virginia enjoyed traveling and visiting their daughters throughout the states and other countries. As an Army Medic, he understood how important and fragile life was which drove him to become a lifelong blood donor.

He is survived by his two daughters Deborah Ann (Dennis) Hartzel of Michigan and Michele (aka Shelly) Lynne (Bryan) Pavlich of Florida. He is also survived by four grandchildren; Melissa Danielle Hartzel of North Carolina, Stephanie Marie (Jonathan) Demorest of Florida, Nicholas Blair Hartzel of Michigan, Rachel Ann (Trevin) Lohr of Florida. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren, Zoe Jane Demorest, Mackenzie Lynne Eans, Jonathan Dale Demorest Jr., Hannah JoLynn Demorest, and Penelope Mae Lohr.

In addition to his daughters, he is survived by two brothers, Eldon (aka Frog) (Jane) Maccombs of Nelsonville, Melvin (Jeri) Maccombs of Nelsonville, and a sister, Gladys Dicken of Logan.

Beside his parents he is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Virginia Anne (Mroski) Maccombs; beloved daughter Tamie Jo Maccombs; infant brother, Donald Maccombs; a brother, Delbert (aka Hank) Maccombs; a brother Paul (aka Paulie) Maccombs; a brother & sister-in-law, Wilford (aka Popeye) & Phyllis Maccombs; three sisters, Opal McFarland, Alice Bachtel and Velma (aka Sissy) Woody.

Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel – 3224 Broadway Avenue, Lorain. The funeral chapel will continue to follow Ohio’s Covid-19 protocol and require all visitors, regardless of vaccination, to wear facial coverings and practice social distancing. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 17, 2021 at Elyria First United Methodist Church, 312 3rd Street, Elyria, Ohio 44035, with Pastor Kent Joy officiating. Interment will follow in Resthaven Memory Gardens in Avon, Ohio where military honors will be conducted by the officers and members of VFW Post # 1079 of Elyria.

To share your memories and condolences with Skeeter’s family, lease visit www.gluvna.net.