Adrian G.. Werst, Jr.

Adrian G. Werst, Jr., 84, of Lima, died 11:08 p.m., Sun. Dec. 7, 2014, at St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima. He was born Aug. 21, 1930, in Pittsburgh, PA, the son of Adrian G. & Edythe D. (Kofski) Werst, Sr., who preceded him in death. On Feb. 8, 1955, he married Anne M. “Rhea” Wotawa, and she died April 6, 1999. Then on Feb. 14, 2008, he married Mary E. Garee Bradford, and she survives. Other survivors include, a step-son, Rex (Bonnie) Bradford, St. Marys, a step-granddaughter, Heather Bradford, and several cousins including, Jim Werst & Jack (Shirley) Werst. He was preceded in death by a sister, Eloise W. (Robert) Geiger, and a step-son, Eugene Bradford. Adrian retired as a school teacher in 1987 from the Plain Local School District, Stark Co. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army, and also the U.S. Air Force. He was a 1948 graduate of Canton Lehman High School, and received a Bachelors Degree from Malone College, Canton. He later receive a Master’s Degree in Education from Ashland College. Adrian was a member of the Shawnee United Methodist Church, and a former member of the Buckland United Church of Christ. He was member and past master of the Hamer Lodge, #167 F.& A.M. He served the 10th Masonic district as District Deputy Grand Master & District Education Officer. His other memberships included Wapakoneta Chapter#183, Royal Arch Masons; St. Marys Council #81, Royal & Select Masons; Sidney Commandery #46, Knights Templar; The Philalethes Society; A.A.S.R. Valley of Canton, and the High Twelve Club #590, Lima. He also belonged to the American Legion Post #330, Wapakoneta; D.A.V. Ch. #6, Canton; the Ohio Retired Teachers Assn.; the National Retired Teachers Assn.; and the Auglaize Co. Historical Society. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Thurs. Dec. 10, 2014, at the Bayliff & Eley Funeral Home & Cremation Services, St. Rt. 501, Wapakoneta, Pastor Bryan Bucher officiating. Burial is to follow in the Greenlawn Cemetery, Wapakoneta, where military rites will be conducted by the Wapakoneta V.F.W., Post #8445. The family will receive friends 2-4 & 6-8 p.m., Wed. at the funeral home, where a Masonic memorial service will be 7:30 p.m. Wed. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Adrian G. & Anne M. Werst Scholarship Fund.

Adrian G.. Werst, Jr.

August 21, 1930 - December 7, 2014