Dean Ayars

Dean "Curt" Ayars, 89 of Vermilion, died Thursday, September 24, 2009 at his home after a lengthy illness. He was born October 11, 1919 in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He moved to Austin, Minnesota, attended and graduated from St. Olaf College Northfield, Minnesota in 1944. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Force serving in the 2535th AAF High Altitude Training Unit. He worked for the Milwaukee Railroad in Miles City, Montana, Jos. F. Seagram in Louisville, Kentucky and joined Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn, Michigan retiring as a quality control supervisor for Ford Motor, Lorain. in 1979. Interests gained from living in the West include ice skating, cross country skiing, golf, and trips to the West Coast in the U.S. and Canada. These activities were enjoyed with his parents and later with his wife and children. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Ellen (nee Gunderson); 2 sons, Dean (Carol) Ayars of Oconto, WI; William (Nancy) Ayars of Bay Village; 2 daughters, Patricia (Norris) Hinds of Woodville, and Nancy (Marty) Blatt of Pickerington; 10 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; and a sister, Phyllis D. Nyberg of Chicago, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents, M.P. and Thelma (nee Osmundsen) Ayars. The family will receive friends Sunday, September 27, 2009 from 2-4 pm at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, Ohio. Friends may also call Monday, Sept. 28, 2009 from 10 am until the time of the funeral service at 11 am. Rev. Wendell Brooker will officiate. Interment will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, Vermilion where the Vermilion Veterans Council will conduct military honors. Contributions may be made to the New Life Hospice, 5255 North Abbe Road, Elyria, Ohio 44035-1450 or the United Church of Christ Congregational, P.O. Box 228, Vermilion, Ohio 44089. Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.