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Harry Paul Routson, age 96, passed away early Wednesday morning, May 4, 2022, at Bridge Hospice Care Center with his loving family by his side. He was born August 5, 1925, in Findlay to the late Orville P. and Mary H. (Rupright) Routson. On June 12, 1948, Harry was united in marriage to Charlene M. (Westbeld) Routson. She preceded him in death on November 3, 2014.
Harry graduated from Findlay High School in 1943. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on October 19, 1943, and deployed to France and Southampton, England in June 1944. Harry was a WWII Veteran who served at the Battles of Normandy, Northern France, and Rhineland in September 1944 where he was first wounded and received his Purple Heart. He carried messages to another company and was pinned down by German machines guns for a period of time. It was here in November 1944 where he was wounded the second time, receiving his Bronze Medal of Honor.
Harry was a devoted member at St. Michael’s Catholic Church where he served as Usher for 45 years. He was President of Holy Name Society from 1973 to 1974. Harry also worked in the kitchen serving Holy Name breakfast from 1974 to 2013. Harry has always said that after he served as president, he was elected to the kitchen. He was a 4th degree Knights of Columbus where he served as President for a year and District Deputy of Council from 1977 to 1978. In August of 1945, Harry joined American Legion and the Elks in April of 1950.
Harry started working at Dietsch Brothers on December 7, 1941, at the age of 16. On August 21, 1945, at the age of 20, he started his new career at Marathon Oil Company. Harry worked various jobs including real estate and Warner Buick. In his spare time, Harry also coached YMCA Brownies Baseball team and umped Little League. He was also a 4-year active duty in Auxiliary of State Highway Patrol then to Reserve Group in 1962.
Above all, Harry loved his family and spending time with them. He enjoyed traveling and followed the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians, and The Ohio State Buckeyes.
Harry leaves behind three children and their spouses, Steven P. (Nancy) Routson of Moody, AL, Jennifer S. (Joe) Laureano of Elida, OH, and Jan M. (Steven) Miller of Findlay, OH; grandchildren, Jason (Jennifer) Routson of Homewood, AL, Justin (Gaillard) Routson of Mobile, AL, Matthew (Jessica) Laureano of Cape Coral, FL, Sarah (Jake) Carroll of Springfield, IL, Ashley (Geoffrey) Eberle of Broomfield, CO, and Paige Lesh of Findlay, OH; great-grandchildren, Bo, Rhodes, Teagan, Christian, Braylen, Adlye, Oliver, Jaden, Kyler, Gabriella, Gianna, Mari, Jordyn, and Jacksyn; one great-great-grandson, Jack; sister-in-law, Kathy Karcher of Findlay; and brother-in-law, Larry Westbeld of Kalida. In addition to his wife Charlene and parents, Harry was preceded in death by a great-grandson, Andrew Laureano.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 750 Bright Road, Findlay, Ohio 45840. Monsignor Michael Hohenbrink will celebrate the Mass. Burial will follow in the St. Michael Cemetery where the Hancock County Veterans Memorial Squad will conduct military rites. Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Monday, May 9th, where a Rosary service will be held at 7:30 p.m. by Deacon Mike Eyer at HUFFORD FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 1500 Manor Hill Rd, Findlay (419-422-1500). Memorial contributions in Harry’s name may be made to Autism Society of NW Ohio (https://asno.org), St. Jude’s Children Research (https://www.stjude.org), or Flag City Honor Flight (https://flagcityhonorflight.org).
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Harry P. Routson, please visit our floral store.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Tel: 1-800-805-5856
Web: http://www.stjude.org/
Flag City Honor Flight
OH 45840
Web: http://www.flagcityhonorflight.org
Autism Society of NW Ohio
Web: http://www.asno.org