E. Lowell "Oscar" Lewis, 68, of rural Venedocia, died at 5:05 a.m. Aug. 6, 2006, at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys, following an extended illness.

He was born June 18, 1938, in Lima, to William Clifford and Mary A. Burnett Lewis. On June 2, 1957, he married Mary Jane Lies, who survives.

Also surviving are a son, Mark A. (Nina), Celina; a daughter, Rachel L. (Charles) Zeigler, Fairfax, Va.; a brother, Carl A. (Val) , Lima; a son-in-law, Ken Bissonette, Katy, Texas; a mother-in-law, Wanda L. Lies, Venedocia; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Deceased are a daughter, Mary E. Bissonette; and an infant brother.

He was a lifelong farmer and worked 20 years at International Harvester, Fort Wayne, Ind. retiring in 1983 when it closed. He worked as an independent truck driver for Schroyer Trucking Company, Inc. He was a zoning inspector, York Township; served on the Farm Focus Committee; past president, Old Fashioned Farmers Association and 4-H advisor, all of Van Wert County.

He attended Kingsley United Methodist Church, Van Wert County; and was a member of the Spencerville Police Auxiliary and spent five years with Van Wert County Sheriff's Auxiliary.

Services are 11 a.m. Thursday at the church the Rev. Charles Glover officiating. Burial will follow in Venedocia Cemetery.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Wednesday at Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home, Spencerville, and after 9 a.m. Thursday at the church.

Contributions can be made to Delphos Visiting Nurses Association.