Fred Cary, Jr.

Fred C. Cary, Jr, 88, of Mansfield, died Thursday, October 30, 2008, at Oak Grove Manor. Born August 14, 1920, in Shelby, he was the son of Fred and Ruth Maynard Cary. He was a 1938 graduate of Shelby High School, moving to Mansfield in 1947. He attended evening classes of Machine Shop procedures at Mansfield Senior High School. A veteran of World War II and a Pearl Harbor survivor, Mr. Cary spent six years, from 1940 to 1946, aboard the Battleship BB-43 USS Tennessee. The Tennessee was in 13 island bombardments and one major sea battle at Surgaio Straights in the Phillipine Islands. He left the service in 1946 as a Chief Fire Controlman. He retired from Ideal Electric in 1982 as Interim Manager of the Switchgear and Control Department. He was a member of the St. John's United Church of Christ, the Pearl Harbor Survivor Association, Chapter 4 of Columbus, American Legion Post 16, past member of the Richland Astronomy Society, an inactive member of the Senior Civic Center in Lexington. He enjoyed the outdoors by fishing, gardening and woodworking.

Surviving are his wife, Blanche Farber Cary whom he married November 14, 1942; one son, Robert Cary of Cuyahoga Falls, OH; four grandchildren, Trev Karen Cary of Danville, Heather Doug Kelly of Mansfield, Mark Nanny Helsel of Concord, NC and Brad Angie Helsel of Mississippi; a sister, Barbara Denver Kelly of Elyria; a son-in-law, Harry Debbie Helsel of Concord, NC; ten great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Vivian Cary; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Linda Lee Cary Helsel in 1991; a brother, Richard; a sister, Betty Riesterer; and a sister-in-law, Ilene Hoover.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 6, 2008, at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Rd., Mansfield, OH 44906, conducted by Dr. George Spink. Friends may call from 10-11 a.m. prior to the funeral service on Thursday. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery, Crestline with full military services conducted by the Richland County Joint Veteran's Burial Detail. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's United Church of Christ, 68 Park Ave. East, Mansfield, OH 44902 or Southern Care Hospice, 775 Lexington Ave., Suite M, Mansfield, OH 44907.