Lehman, Olen James (1931-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Jul 10 p. 3

Birth date: 1931 Jan 25

text of obituary:

OHIO YOUTH KILLED EN ROUTE TO STATE MYF CONVENTION

Orrville, Ohio — A highway accident near Maumee, south of Toledo, on June 20 proved fatal to Olen James Lehman, 21, of Dalton, when the car in which he was a passenger skidded from slippery highway 20-S and crashed into two trees and a building. He died a short time later at Maumee Valley hospital.

Four other Wayne and Holmes county young people in the car, all en route to the state Mennonite Youth Fellowship convention at Archbold, escaped serious injury. They were Lee Steiner of Apple Creek, the driver, Dorothy Ann Hershberger of Orrville, Mary Ann Hostetler of Smithville, and Elvera Martin of Orrville.

Funeral services for the Lehman youth were held at the Kidron Mennonite church on June 23, Reuben Hofstetter, Isaac Zuercher and Allen Bixler officiating.

Surviving are the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Lehman, three brothers and four sisters, and the aged grandmother, Mrs. Katie Zuercher of Orrville.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Jul 24 p. 9

text of obituary:

OLEN JAMES LEHMAN

Olen James Lehman, son of Reuben and Leah (Zuercher) Lehman, was born on January 25, 1931, three miles south of Dalton, Ohio.

He was baptized and received into the fellowship of the Kidron Mennonite church on April 7, 1944. He was a faithful member, serving as an usher in the church and taking part in the activities of the mixed chorus, which he particularly enjoyed.

He graduated from Dalton high school in 1949, after which he helped his father with farming. He was also a part-time employee of Bennet Refrigeration in Wooster. He had been employed for time at the Massillon Refractories. He was ambitious and honest in his work, eager to have things accomplished quickly and well.

On Friday afternoon, June 20, 1952, he with four other young people, namely Lee Steiner, Apple Creek, R. D. 1, Mary Ann Hostetler, Smithville; Elvera Martin and Dorothy Hershberger of Orrville, started out to attend the Annual Ohio Mennonite Youth Fellowship Convention at Archbold, Ohio. It was near the Toledo area where their car skidded on the wet pavement and Olen was fatally injured and passed away at the Maumee Hospital, one and half hours later, at the age of 21 years, four months and 25 days. Needless to say, his passing was a severe shock to his family and friends.

He leaves to mourn his sudden departure, his bereaved parents; two brothers, Ellis of Dalton, and Lloyd, and one sister, Anna Marie, of the home; also one half-brother Calvin Lehman of Dalton, R. D.; and three half-sisters, Cora, Mrs. Harvey Miller, North Canton, R 6; Esther, Mrs. Levi Lehman, Kidron; and Miss Frieda Lehman of Rittman. An aged grandmother, Mrs. Katie Zuercher of Orrville died the following week.

Funeral services were held on Monday, June 23, at his home and in the Kidron Mennonite church, with Rev. Milo Kauffman, of Hesston, Kansas, the Revs. Allen Bixler, Reuben Hofstetter and Isaac Zuercher officiating. His body was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.