Austin Eugene Lonsway

LONSWAY, Austin Eugene, age 94, of Springfield, Ohio, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones at his residence November 16, 2015. The son of Austin and Idella Mary (Kelbley) Lonsway was born August 31, 1921 in Fostoria, Ohio. He graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1940 and served in the U. S. Army during World War II, discharged in 1946. Austin was a loving husband to the late Norma Jean (Parker), and a devoted father. He began his career working for his father-in-law, Horace Parker, at Parker Sweeper as a pattern maker. He owned Lonsway Electronics, retiring as a General Manager with C. E. Bauer in 1983. He then worked at Security Bank until 2000. He was a member of St. Raphael's Catholic Church since 1946, before that St. Joseph's. He was on the Parks and Recreation Board, a long time member of the Knights of Columbus, organizing a Baton Corps that represented the K of C in the Memorial Day Parade. He was very dedicated to Catholic Central, and the CYO baseball program. A Catholic Central Booster, his proudest moment was being awarded the Green Blazer. Austin was a handyman, golfer, bowler, card player, and coin and stamp collector. He is survived by his five children Phil (Desiree) Lonsway of Houston, TX, Kathy (Zak) Kano, of Murfreesboro, TN, Doug (Ruth) Lonsway, Linda (Pat) Szempruch and Mike (Linda Kay) Lonsway all of Springfield. Eleven grandchildren: Amy Lonsway, Miko, Courtney & Mark Kano, Debbie (Rard) Hamber, Jason (Heidi), Chris (Dani) and Carrie Szempruch, Matt and Ian (Britni) Lonsway, and Michelle Brickman. Eleven great-grandchildren; Joniah Kano, Alanna Storey, Nylah Hamber, Carolyn, Elizabeth, Paige and Andrew Szempruch, MaKenzie, and Mason Brickman, and Nori and Brody Lonsway. Two sister-in-laws Virginia Tartz of Cincinnati, OH and Karen (Mike) Ondrasek of Beavercreek, OH; numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter Lori (Lonsway) Owens, great-grandchild Jaden Storey and his seven brothers & sisters, Pauline, Fr. Jesse and Joe Lonsway, Clara Stampher, Virgila Bushu, Annabelle Mataitis, Ruth Snyder, their spouses and his brother-in-law Ralph Tartz. Austin's strong faith, love for his family, friends, Catholic Central Community and his GREAT sense of humor will long be cherished. Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at CONROY FUNERAL HOME with a Knights of Columbus service at 5:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be Monday, November 23rd, 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, burial St. Bernard Cemetery. Donations can be made to Catholic Central.