Elbert Peay

Elbert O. "Bert" Peay, Sr., 79, of Mansfield, died Tuesday afternoon, August 4, 2009, at his home. He was born January 12, 1930, to Aubrey and Katie Hunt Peay in Huntsville, Kentucky. He was raised on a farm and graduated from Rochester High School in 1948. After graduation, Bert moved to Evansville, Indiana. He joined the Air Force in 1948. His service took him to Frankfurt, Germany, where he met his lifelong love, Auguste L. Gebhardt. They were married in Germany and together shared 57 years of marriage. Bert was a Chief Meteorologist in the Air Force and served in France, Italy, Okinawa, Korea, Vietnam, and ended his career in Washington, D.C. as advisor to Air Force One. He retired from the Air Force in 1969 and served as an advisor to the 179th Airlift Group at Mansfield Lahm Airport. Bert was active in real estate sales from 1962 until his retirement in 1995. He obtained his real estate broker's license in 1970, opening Appleseed Realty in 1971. He became a certified real estate appraiser, opening Appraisal Services of North Central Ohio in 1984. Bert was a lifelong member of the Mansfield Board of Realtors and served as their President in 1990, as well as a member of the Board of Directors and other various committees. He was a member and Chief Executive Officer from 1980-1986 of Home Builders Association of Mansfield and Past President of what is now known as the Building Industry Association. Bert was honored as Builder of the Year in 1979 and recognized by the Ohio Home Builders Association for Outstanding Membership Recruitment Efforts in 1985, being tireless in his efforts to grow the Builders Association. He was a member of the Mansfield Kiwanis Club, a lifetime member of Amvets Post #26, the Liederkranz, Ontario V.F. W., Richland County Fish and Game Club and the Shadow Flight Group.

Bert is survived by his loving wife, Auguste; son, Elbert Nancy Peay, Jr. of Pickerington; daughters, Shirley Joseph of Reynoldsburg and Sandra Victor Rini of Ontario. He was known as Handsome Bert to his loving grandchildren, Alysia Brian Sweeney of Ontario, Shannon Andy Springer of Lithopolis, Lynsey White Mike Dasher of Westerville, Morgan Peay of Ontario, Michelle White of New York City, NY and Philip Joseph of Columbus. Others left to treasure his memory include four great-grandchildren, Kaylee and Chase Springer and Jared and Taylor Sweeney, brothers, Albert Wanda Peay of Evansville, IN, Aubrey Vicki Peay of KY, Clarence Roscoe Judy Peay of Phoenix, AZ and Tyler Doris Peay of Morgantown, KY; sisters, Katie Vinyard Ferrell of Dunbar, KY, Annie Pearl Shelby Wester of Quality, KY; twenty-one nieces and nephews; and close family friend, Sarah Howard. He is also survived by grandchildren by marriage, Joseph Connie Rini, David Colleen Rini, Vicki Maloney and Matthew Amy Rini; and great-grandchildren, Lindsay, Allison, Joey, Margaret, Rose, Grace and Nathan Rini, Ryan, Sean and Megan Maloney, and Kayleigh and Sydney Conley. He was preceded in death by his son, Albert Peay and great-grandson, Erik Sanders.

Friends may visit from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, August 7, 2009, at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Dr. Johnny Heckard officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Mansfield Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of North Central Ohio, 1050 Dauch Drive, Ashland, OH 44805.