Marion Loar

Marion Loar, age 90, of Metamora, Ohio, passed away peacefully, Saturday afternoon, March 1, 2014, at Swanton Valley Center. He was born May 26, 1923 in Metamora, Ohio to Jennie F. Spurrier and Ronald D. Loar. He was an infant when the family moved to Columbus, Ohio. Marion was 14 years old when they returned to the Metamora area to live permanently.

Marion graduated in 1942 from Metamora High School, and attended The Ohio State University for one year. He left OSU to tend to the farming, as all the family members were involved in industries relating to the war. On October 15, 1944, Marion married his beloved wife, Harriet Woodring.

In 1947, Marion left the farming to his brother, Robert, and began a new endeavor at the Ideal Garage as a mechanic for his father-in-law, Fay Woodring. In 1960, he left the Metamora workplace and took a job in Toledo working at Jim White Chevrolet. After Mr. White sold the dealership in 1972, Marion was employed at Weissenberger Chevrolet until it closed in 1982. At that point, Marion put up a 3 bay garage and established Loar’s Auto Repair with his son, Gary, just south of Metamora. This is where he retired permanently in 2008.

Marion was active in the International Association of Mechanics Union Local #1042. He served as president for 15 years and was a district officer for IAM until he retired in 1988.

Marion was a volunteer fireman for the Metamora Fire Department after he built a home and moved to Swanton Street in town in 1953. He served on village council from 1979–1987, when he took the mayor’s position. He held that office until he resigned in 1989. He later served on committees for council.

Marion was a member of the Metamora United Methodist Church. He also belonged to the Masonic Royalton Union Lodge in Lyons, Ohio.

Marion will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 69 years, Harriet; his children, Claudia (Russell) Tracy, Robert (Gloria) Loar, Gary (Sandy) Loar, Luanna (Alan) Jackson, Ronald (Donna) Loar, and Melinda (Robert) DeTroye); grandchildren, Robert, Damon, Heather, Jason, Shannon, Erin, Jennie, Sarah, Michelle, Amber, Christopher, Jonathan, and Stephen; as well as 14 great-grandchildren and sister, Jean Needham.

Marion was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert Loar; sister, Madelyn Vershum; and grandson, Michael Loar.

Family and friends may visit Wednesday, March 5th from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home in Metamora, where a Last Alarm Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 6th at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home with Pastor Tyler Kleeberger officiating. Interment will follow at Amboy Township Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice, 3450 W. Central Ave., Ste 230, Toledo, OH 43606.

 Residence:  Metamora, Ohio

Visitation:  Wednesday, March 5th from 2 to 8 pm at the Weigel Funeral Home in Metamora

 Funeral Services:  Thursday, March 6th at 11:00 am in the Funeral Home

 Interment:  Amboy Township Cemetery