Lawrence A. Rev. Drum

After a brief decline in health, Rev. Lawrence A. “Larry” Drum passed away on Thursday, march 19, at Perrysburg Commons, Perrysburg, OH surrounded by his devoted and loving family. He would have celebrated 98 years of life on April 2. He was the second son of Jacob and Grace (Detwiler) Drum and born April 2, 1917 in Clinton Twp., Michigan. At the age of three, his family moved back to home territory near West Unity, OH. He graduated from West Unity High School (Hilltop) in 1935 with honors. The early years after high school were spent helping his father with farming and also roofing barns. At the age of 19 he journeyed by bus to Chicago to attend a six week course on diesel mechanics. His love of mechanics and how engines worked stayed with him throughout his life. After returning from Chicago, he continued helping on the farm and was employed at a woodworking factory in Bryan, OH. On August 16, 1941, he and Andrie Kertz, also of West Unity, were married. They would have celebrated 65 years of marriage when Andrie preceded him in death April 12, 2006. His brother, Virgil and sister, Helen also preceded him in death. Since his brother, Virgil was already serving in the Pacific during World War II, Dad enlisted in the Army in May 1942. He was based stateside at several bases and then served in Germany with the 63rd Field Hospital out of Ft. Meade, MD. He had training at cooks’ school and cooked for the officers and nurses. He was honorably discharged in January 1946 as master sergeant. After Army discharge, Dad managed a Kroger store in Pioneer, OH. It was during that time that he felt the call to the ministry. In August 1948 the family moved to Naperville, IL where Dad graduated from North Central College in 1952. The next three years were spent in Naperville also, attending The Evangelical Theological Seminary. He was ordained into the Evangelical United Brethren Church in 1955 (which later merged with the Methodist Church.) Along with school, and helping raise a family, he was always employed. His first call was to the E.U.B. Church in Edgerton, OH (1955-56) and from there served churches near Leipsic, OH (1956-60), Zion E.U.B Church, Wauseon, OH (1960-68), Bucyrus, OH area (1968-70), Salem United Methodist Church (1970-76), Central United Methodist (1976-79) both located in Toledo, and Grace United Methodist Church in Walbridge, OH (1979-80). After his first major heart surgery in 1980, Dad retired from the ministry. He worked part time jobs at Purolator Delivery and later as a guard at the Toledo Museum of Art. He is survived by daughters, Shannon (Ted) Weaver, Perrysburg, OH, Deanna (Rollin) Edgar, Elyria, OH, Susan Bialorucki, Pingree Grove, IL and son, Stanley (Janice) of Toledo, OH. Also surviving are 9 grandchildren: Marcie Messerly, Daniel and Matthew Weaver, Andrew Edgar, Alison Hannon, Sam, Anna, Tess Bialorucki and Brian Drum. He is also survived by 15 great grandchildren. Dad was a kind, gentle person always replying in a succinct manner. He could speak words of wisdom in just a few sentences. He loved poetry and could still recite many poems and recitations that were learned in high school. He had a penchant for remembering peoples’ names… always making sure he had their name correctly. A good listener, his mind and heart were always open to who you were, where you had been and what your story was. His hobbies were few but in earlier years enjoyed crossword puzzles, and putzing around the house. He enjoyed college basketball especially during tournament time and was amazed by the girls’ college teams’ abilities and often said “they can play just as well as the boys.” After the death of his wife in 2006, he moved to Perrysburg Commons Assisted Living in Perrysburg, OH to be near his daughter. He remained there for nearly nine years until his death. Dad and Mom had previously lived on Rushland Avenue in Toledo for over 30 years. We certainly praise and the Heartland Hospice who has been involved in palliative care for him since July 2014 as well as the many aides and nurses and all the employees of the Commons he came in contact with during his time there. We appreciate all the care and kindness they showed him. He always remarked that “he could not have had a better place to live.” Dad’s visitation will be at Witzler-Shank Funeral Home, 222 East South Boundary St., Perrysburg, OH 43551 (419-874-3133) on Sunday, March 22 from 1:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. Services will be Monday, March 23 at 11:00 A.M. with visitation one hour prior at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, of which Dad was a member, 4030 Douglas Rd., Toledo, OH. Any memorials may be directed to Heartland Hospice Services, 28555 Starbright Blvd., Perrysburg, OH 43551 or to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 4030 Douglas Rd., Toledo, OH 43613.