Arthur Foster

Arthur O. Foster, 92, of Mansfield died August 1, 2003 at MedCentral Mansfield Hospital. Art was born October 2, 1910 in Portsmouth, Ohio. He married Lorraine Sexton and had four children, farmed, hunted and fished in the hills for his first 50 years. He was a popular and accomplished baseball player. He played with minor league teams in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas. Some of his teammates became well known major league stars. He pitched against the House of David and teams in the Negro League. At age 33, Art volunteered for the Navy SeaBees and proudly served in WWII. He came ashore in Normandy on D-Day +4 and then shipped out to Okinawa. He will be put to his final rest dressed in his Navy dress blues. Since 1960, Mansfield has been his home. He and his wife were faithful members of the First Christian and Missionary Alliance Church for many years. He eagerly volunteered his carpentry and construction expertise for the church, Beulah Beach Camp and Richland Pregnancy Services. Art was a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Union for over 60 years. He was superintendent over large commercial construction jobs at the steel mill and PPG in Crestline and finished his career very happily with Kokosing Construction Company. Retiring at age 70, Art was blessed with excellent health, which allowed him to enjoy his favorite pastime of fishing. Relatives, friends and neighbors were all included in Dad's passion for sharing his love of the sport. The products of his garden were shared with everyone. He was always concerned with those in need. He really lived his life on the principles of God, country, and family. God and what He had done in Art's life were the #1 thing he wanted to share and be remembered for. And, indeed, he will be! Surrounded and held by loved ones, Art went to be with the Lord in Paradise. He imagined a beautiful valley where he'd be reunited with loved ones and friends. He said he'd wait there for his 'Honey' of 62 years.

Art leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife, Lorraine; son, Larry and Penny Foster of Mansfield, daughter, Geraldine Senn and her fiancé, Jim Moore of Venice, Florida, daughter, Jane and Lanny Brown of N. Robinson, and son, Philip and Jill Foster of South Bend, Indiana; seven grandchildren and their spouses, Billy and Michelle Senn, Ryan and Kelley Foster, Jim Geyer, Dawn and Mark Waun, Jason and Trish Geyer, George Foster, and Kit Foster; six great-grandchildren, Alyssa and Ryan Karel, Stone and Gage Foster, Eli Geyer, and Owen Geyer; and a sister, Alberta Schweinsberg of Portsmouth. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar Robert and Maud Tatman Foster.

Friends may call at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, Monday, August 4 from 4-7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at First Alliance Church, Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Springmill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to First Alliance Church Retired Missionaries Fund. Thanks Dad for everything!