Albert Conaway

Albert "Al" L. Conaway, 89, of Mansfield, Ohio, was called home to be with our Lord, Jesus Christ, on January 17, 2015, from OhioHealth MedCentral Mansfield Hospital. He was born April 26, 1925, in Ross County, Ohio, to William Bryan Conaway and Hazel Viola (Hines) Conaway. He was 1943 graduate of Southeastern High School in Ross County where he played basketball and was Class Vice-President. It was at one of his basketball games where a cheerleader for the opposing team caught his eye. He rolled a marble across the court to her. She was Mary Lou Wallar of Vinton County. He would later marry her on January 24, 1946, and they would share the next sixty years. She preceded him in death in September 2006.

In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served as a gunner's mate with the Naval Armed Guard. He saw duty on two Liberty Ships: the SS.Paine Wingate and SS Lewis Morris in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and was honorably discharged in 1945.

His work experience included being a deliveryman for Omar Bakery; salesman for Peterson Tire; truck driver for ACE Freight, Bender Louden and Spector Motor Freight. Al also worked as a corrections officer at the old Mansfield Reformatory and as a security guard at Mansfield General Hospital. His hobbies included camping at Mohican State Park and Eagle's Point and taking care of his yard and garden. He also was an Assistant Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop #113. Al and Mary Lou were longtime members of St. Michael Lutheran Church in Mifflin, Ohio, and considered it as their second family.

In addition to his wife and parents, Al was preceded in death by two brothers, Francis "Bill" Conaway and Edwin "Buck" Conaway; and two sisters, Goldie Kunz and Betty Manor. Surviving are his sons and daughters-in-law, Ken (Sue) Conaway and Dennis "Yogi" (Peg) Conaway, both of Mansfield; two brothers, Wayne "Doc" Conaway and Glen Conaway of Chillicothe; grandchildren, Melanie Conaway, Heather George, Jason Conaway, Tami Petty; step grandchildren, Joan Tasker and Diane Nothum; numerous great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, January 20, 2015, in the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond St., Mansfield. The funeral service, conducted by Pastor Jeffrey K. Scott, will be held Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. in St. Michael Lutheran Church, 26 E. Maine St., (SR 430), Mifflin, Ohio, with additional visitation beginning at 12:00 p.m. Military honors will be presented by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail. Burial will follow in Mansfield Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael Lutheran Church.