Dwight Irvin Auman

Dwight Irvin Auman (The Old Forester) 100, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2021. He was born March 7, 1920 in Mount Carroll, IL to the late Harold Roselle and Dorothy (Mosier) Auman. Dwight graduated High School in 1938 then went on to work and attend Business School in Lima, OH where he met Dorothy Claypoole. He enlisted in the Army Air Force Services in January of 1942 as a plane mechanic. Within the year he moved into a program to train and become a pilot. While he was at Randolph Air Force Base in training, he sent for Dorothy to come to Texas. She arrived by train and they were soon married and began a marriage that lasted 63 years. Late in 1944 he was deployed to Attlebridge England to join the 466 Bomb Group to fly B24 (Liberator) bombers in England/Europe. At the end of the War he returned stateside and began college at Purdue University. He and Dorothy lived in a small trailer on campus. Sons David and Lester were born during these college years. After Graduation, Dwight took a job with the Department of Natural Resources, Forestry Division and the family moved to southern Ohio to run Beaver Creek State Park. Daughter Nancy was born here and was soon diagnosed with Amyotonia (form of MD). She was the light of their life for the 7 years she was with them. They moved to Chillicothe OH where Dwight continued to spend many years building fire towers, manning these stations and fighting fires. Family developed a love for camping, canoeing and fishing while exploring Ohio and neighboring states. Never challenge Dwight to keep up during a day in the woods, he would out-walk anyone he took on. In 1960 his job shifted again within the Department of Natural Resources and they moved to Carroll, OH. This has been Dwight’s home for the last 60 years. He is known for his huge garden and mini apple orchard he tended. He was still running a tiller in spring of 2020 at 100. Many Fall seasons were spent with friends and neighbors pressing apple cider with his antique press. The press was actually older than he was. He was always up for a Euchre Game but others made sure his “crying towel” was always on hand. The grandchildren enjoyed the tractor rides touring the back yard when they came to visit. Retirement came in 1985. He continued to keep busy doing property and forestry appraisals, working in real estate and teaching at the Technical College in Lancaster, OH. In 2007 he married Jo Jones of Texas. She was taken home to the Lord after only four years. Jo was a friend of both Dorothy and Dwight's for many years. Dwight served the Lord both at home and in the community. He was an active member at Shalom United Methodist Church and was a major participant procuring the land and building of the present church in Carroll. He served in many roles during his years as a member of Shalom. One job he always loved was sharing the Lord’s message as a lay pastor. He knew his Bible and could find references quickly when asked about anything Bible related. His favorite verse in the Bible was Psalm 1:1-3 (KJ). Dwight was honored when asked to design and plant the arboretum at Carroll School. A good portion still remains after all the building programs over the years. In 2015 he joined the Columbus Honor Flight for a day in Washington DC viewing all the war memorials. He was honored with the flag at the World War II Memorial. He is survived by his son Lester (Jean) Auman, Cochrane WI, Daughter-in-Law Joy Auman, Lancaster OH; Grandchildren, Shawn (Johnna) Auman, Tarpon Springs FL, Mitchel (Theresa) Auman, Trempealeau WI, Jill Auman, Appleton WI, Caleb (Brittany) Auman, Carroll OH, Noah Auman, Canal Winchester OH, Megan Auman, Lancaster, OH. The Lord has blessed the family with many great grandchildren, a few great, great grandchildren including Jo’s loving family in Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, also two loving wives: Dorothy (Claypoole) Auman of 63 years and Jo Jones Auman from Texas of 4 years, son David Lee Auman, daughter Nancy Jeanne Auman, his siblings, Virginia Hill, Thelma Coleman and Gaylord Auman, and a step son Michael Jones of Texas. Family and friends may visit 1-3:00pm on Saturday, February 6, 2021 at Dwayne R. Spence Funeral Home, Canal Winchester OH 43110. Pastor Peter Borhauer will officiate a funeral service for the family at 3:00pm. The funeral will be streaming live and recorded to view on the Spence website. www.spencefuneralhome.com. The family would like to thank Arbors of Carroll and Fairhope Hospice for their excellent care and support.