Autie Lewis Jr.

Autie Lewis, Jr., 82, of Ossian, passed away Wednesday, September 11, 2013, at his home. Autie was born in Forrest, Illinois, on August 2, 1931 to Autie H. Sr. and Hattie (Perry) Lewis. He married the late Adahleen Carnes on July 28, 1951. After 58 years of marriage she preceded him in death on September 12, 2009. Autie married Maxine (Hendry) Baumgardner on June 22, 2012, she survives. Autie enjoyed helping farm with his parents since the age of 5 and later at his own farm in Ossian. Autie served two years in the Army during the Korean War and was a member of the American Legion. After the war, he served as an Ossian rural letter carrier for twenty-one years. He retired from that job because of a back injury. At the age of 42 he decided to finish college and started full time at IPFW. After receiving a degree in accounting he began a tax service and worked with Pete Archbold's insurance company. He retired from the insurance business in 1999, passing his Archbold and Lewis Insurance company to his son Michael. Autie served on the Ossian State Bank Board for over twenty years, 18 of those, serving as chairman. He also served on the Northern Wells School Board. Autie was a member of the First Presbyterian Church for 62 years, serving in many capacities at the church and was the church treasurer for over forty years. Autie enjoyed being with family, traveling, IU basketball, gardening, his dog Maya, and reminiscing with family and friends. He is also survived by three sons, David (Linda) Lewis, Gary (Tonya) Lewis, and Michael (Tonia) Lewis, all of Ossian; two daughters, Barbara (Kent) Gehring and Diane Scheumann, both of Ossian; fourteen grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren. Autie was also preceded in death by two brothers, Waldo and Harold; one sister Irene Jackemeyer. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 14, 2013 at Ossian First Presbyterian Church with calling one hour prior. Visitation will also be from 2-8 p.m., Friday, September 13, 2013 at Elzey Patterson Rodak Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Preferred memorials may be made to Ossian First Presbyterian Church or Family Hospice of NE Indiana.