Lee Conaway served in Korea; received a Purple Heart Award
LeRoy “Lee” Conaway, 83 died May 17, 2013, at his residence after a two month battle of cancer.
He was born July 26, 1929, in Lima to the late Elmer and Anna (Mills) Conaway. On May 7, 1954 he married Gayla Wynkoop and she survives.
He owned and operated Lee’s Hydraulics, Lima, for over 40 years and retired in 1985 after 28 years from the Lima Ford Engine Plant. He had owned, trained, and raised harness horses. He had served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict where he received the Purple Heart Award.
Survivors also include four children Debra Sapienza of Findlay, David L. (Carolyn) Conaway and Darrin Conaway both of Mt. Cory, Dina (Art) Kennon of Clay City, Kentucky; nine grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and a brother Charles Conaway of Lima.
A brother Eugene Conaway and two sisters Violet Swartz and Anna Marie McDaniel preceded him in death.
Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton. Rev. Leland Brehm officiating. Burial will be in Clymer Cemetery near Mt. Cory where military rites will be performed. Friends and family may call Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers: memorial contributions may be made to the Arthur G. James Cancer Research Center, Columbus, Ohio.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com
Stories Posted This Week
Saturday, August 1, 2026
Friday, July 31, 2026
- Gayla Sue Conaway worked for Marathon Oil Company
- TedFest '26 provides all-day fun in Pandora
- Drum Circle added to August 29 PorchFest
- Business Collective holds "War Room" on August 6
- Speed limit on State Route 103 reduced west of I-75
- Check out August 2026 programs and services at Bluffton Public Library
Thursday, July 30, 2026
- Vaccination clinics in Lima, Aug 3, 5 and 6 by appointment
- Backman’s My Friends is topic for BPL book discussions
- Wanted: Photos of bicycles in the Swiss Settlement
- Monday evening Hummin' & Strummin' Song Circle scheduled
- Time in a Bottle: Biologic aging versus our actual age
- Hyper-local focus of the Ada Icon and Bluffton Icon
- Learn about 92 years of Fett Hardware on Bluffton History Day