Loren D. Blechinger

Loren D. "Larry" Blechinger 88 of Fremont passed away Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at his home. He was born on July 25, 1925 to John E. & Edith (Heschel) Blechinger. He attended St. Joseph Catholic Elementary school and graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1943. In 1949 he married Mary Ann Grob in St. Ann Catholic Church by Fr. John McCullen. He entered the US Army on September 1943. Larry served over seas stationed at New Calonida, New Zealand, and fought on New Guinea, Luzon Beachhead in the Philippines. On January 9, 1945 and on January 14, 1945 he was wounded and on March 20, 1945 he was awarded a Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, the Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippines Liberation Medal and Ribbon. Because of his injuries he was sent to the Evac Field Hospital, General Hospital in the Philippines before being sent to Litterman Hospital in CA. Finally send to Ashford General Hospital in White Sulfur Springs, VA before being honorably discharged on August 8, 1945. Larry worked at Big Wheel Dept. Store as a manager of the appliance dept. from 1970-1978. He also worked for the Fremont Public Schools retiring in 1988. He was a member of the St. Ann Catholic Church, the VFW, Eagles and the Moose. Surviving is his wife Mary Ann of 64 years, children; Larry (Randi) Blechinger of Birmingham, AL, Michael (Jean) Blechinger, of Kenton, OH, Marsha (Scott) Forgatsch of Fremont and Lisa (Michael) Celek of Fremont. Larry is also survived by 9 grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, James "Jim" (Barb) Quaintance of Fremont. Larry was preceded in death by his son-in-law; Dale J. Fulwider, brothers; William & Bernard Blechinger and sister; Dorothy Quaintance. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at the Herman-Kinn-Karlovetz Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Fremont from 5-8 PM. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, March 14, 2014 at St. Ann Catholic Church at 10:30 AM with Rev. Jacob Gordon officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery with military rights preformed by the American Legion and the VFW. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Ann Catholic Church, 1101 W. State Street, Fremont, OH 43420.