Kenneth F. Lebay

Kenneth F. LeBay, 90, of Toledo, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2014 with his daughter by his side. He was born to Kenneth O. and Helen LeBay on September 2, 1923 in Tiffin, Ohio. Ken was a WWII veteran serving in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Sergeant in the South Pacific, British Samoa, American Samoa, New Guinea, Guadalcanal and New Britain. As a Sergeant, he was credited with saving the life of Australian journalist, Noel Ottaway, by leading him through the jungles and rivers of New Guinea to the safety of American lines. When thanked by the reporter, he responded, If you guys can write stories about Marines, I guess I can help get them through. Ken also received the Purple Heart for injuries sustained during the war. After the war, Ken returned home to build homes with his father-in-law, Alvin C. Young. Along with the building business he owned a real estate company and insurance agency. Later he worked for the William Ferrell Company and Great Lakes Industrial Contracting. Ken was a 65-year member of Damascus-Collingwood Masonic Lodge No. 643 where he served as Master. He was a member of the York Rite and an honorary 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Past Potentate of Zenobia Shrine, Past Commander of Zenobia Legion of Honor, Past President of the Great Lakes Shrine Association Legions of Honor, and a member of American Legion Post 335. Ken was preceded in death by his loving wife of 46 years, Thomasina, in 2013. Surviving are his brother, Louis LeBay; sister, Ruth Orend; children, Douglas LeBay; Eugenia Thomas Wiles, James Becky Kohn and Kenneth Lisa Kohn; 14 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; and 5 great-great grandchildren. The family wishes to thank the staff of Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Sunset Village and Ashanti Hospice for the loving care they provided Ken. Friends may visit the family on Wednesday from 2-8 p.m. in the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. west of Corey where Damascus-Collingwood Lodge will conduct services at 7:00 p.m. followed by Scottish Rite and Zenobia Legion of Honor. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home followed by interment at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park with military honors conducted by the U.S. Marine Corps. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that memorials be made to Honor Flight of Northwest Ohio.