Ivan Wyer, 87 years old of Willshire, Ohio, passed away at 7:56 p.m. on Sunday, May 12, 2013 in the Van Wert Hospice located in Van Wert, Ohio. Ivan was born on Monday, August 3, 1925 in Willshire, Ohio the son of the late James E. Wyer and the late Grace (Bell) Wyer. He married Joan Newlin on February 15, 1947 in Willshire, Ohio and she survives. Ivan's childhood activities included playing at the river and swimming at the quarry in Willshire. He attended Willshire Public Schools, graduating in 1943. Ivan served the town of Willshire in several capacities. Ivan was a member of the Ohio City United Methodist Church; a lifelong member of both the American Legion Harry J. Reynolds Post #191 of Spencerville, Ohio; and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #5803 of Van Wert, Ohio; he also served as Second District Commander and Assistant Sergeant of Arms for the Department of Ohio. He was a member of the Willshire Volunteer Fire Dept. Beginning in 1943, Ivan served his country in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during World War II and during the Korean Conflict. Ivan received 2 purple hearts for being wounded twice during his time of serving his country. Ivan worked on the Nickel Plate Railroad for 15 years and he retired from Parkway School System in 1988. Surviving are his wife, Joan Wyer of Willshire, OH; daughter, Candy (Dr. Daryl) Osborn of Wapakoneta, OH; granddaughter, Tracy (Joe) Albridge of Charlotte, NC; great-grandson, Peyton Albridge of Charlotte, NC. Preceding Ivan in death were one brother, Albert Wyer; and a half-sister, Elizabeth Rinard. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, May 16, 2013 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur, IN with Pastor Mark Rutledge officiating. Interment will follow in the Willshire Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2-5 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, 2013 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur, IN and one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the funeral home. Preferred memorials are to Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center or Wren EMS.
