Edward N. Straight

Edward N. Straight, Sr., passed away at the age of 100 on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, at his home at the Wesley Glen Retirement Community, Columbus, Ohio. He was born in Mannington, West Virginia on October 20, 1919 to the late Harry L. and Jessie Hibbs Straight.

Ed is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Josephine Peters Straight, who passed away September 5, 2008, his son-in-law Joseph J. Litzinger (Harriet Straight), who passed away March 24, 2019, and his son-in-law John O. Core (Mary Ann Core), who passed away October 9, 2004. He is also preceded in death by his 4 siblings and 3 of their spouses: Elba and Bo Bostaph, Roy and Winona Straight, Frieda and Bus Snodgrass, and Stanley Straight. He is survived by his sister-in-law Donna Straight of Lake Wales, Florida.

Edward and Josephine’s married life centered around their family and extended family. Vacations and trips to visit family, camp in beautiful locations, and enjoy the outdoors were their recreation.

Ed is survived by his 5 children, 13 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. They are Edward N. Straight, Jr. and his wife Wendy Davis Straight and their children Edward N. Straight, III; Zachary Straight and his wife Kelley Murphy Straight and their children Dominick, Bailee and Kyla; Molly Straight Dominique and her husband Jed Dominique and their children Calvin and Myles; Jesse Straight and his wife Molly Tenley Straight and their children Gabriella, Lucas, Parker and Evelyn; and Hannah Rogers. Sara Straight Wolf and her husband Myron Wolf and their children Michael Wolf, Stephen Wolf and his partner Sebastian Korob; Harriet Straight; Joseph Straight and his wife Brenda Meyers Straight and their children Daniel Straight, Matthew Straight and Levi Straight and his wife Laura and their children Lila, Leo and Lukas; Mary Ann Core and her partner Thomas Peterfish, and Mary Ann’s children Samuel Core and his wife Elisha Randolph Core and their daughter Rowan, and her late husband John O. Core’s children Bryson Core and Alexandra Core and her daughter Isabella Core-Barbosa.

Edward graduated from Marshall College (now University), where he majored in business administration and trained as a pilot and flight instructor. He was a World War II veteran, and served as a flight instructor training pilots in the Army Air Corps. He finished his service as a pilot in the China-Burma-India theatre. Edward spent his working career as an executive with B.F. Goodrich Company. After retiring, Ed spent his days travelling with his wife Jo in their Winnebago throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada, until they finally settled down as winter residents of Bradenton, Florida.

Ed was a lifelong athlete and played basketball and football for Marshall College (now University). He continued his love of athletics later in life through running, tennis and golf, in addition to becoming an avid Ohio State Buckeyes fan when the family relocated to Columbus in 1967. As a “senior,” he competed in Columbus Recreation and Parks Department Seniors Tennis League, and achieved the Seniors Championship at least once.

As a child, Ed’s life with his parents in their summer home farm in Dent, West Virginia, instilled in Ed a love of gardening. As a retiree, he planted a garden of vegetables and flowers every spring, summer and fall. Edward’s wife Jo would can jars of tomatoes, green beans and other vegetables and give them as gifts to their friends and family. The energetic couple also entertained themselves with square dancing, as well as playing bridge with friends. They were dedicated members of Karl Road Christian Church for over 50 years and participated in many church religious and social activities.

During our time of national concern, private services have been entrusted to SCHOEDINGER NORTH FUNERAL HOME.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Karl Road Christian Church, 5400 Karl Road, Columbus, OH 43229.