Calvin L. Lingler

Calvin L. Lingler, age 89, a resident of Berkeley Square, died on August 29, 2018, at Berkeley Square Retirement Community. He was born April 4, 1929 in Hamilton, Ohio, the younger son of Martin John and Arritta Mary (Zschau) Lingler. His was an old Hamilton family, his great grandfather having settled here in 1846. He attended Hamilton Public schools graduating from Hamilton High School in 1946, and then, like his father, pursued a degree in Business Administration at The Ohio State University. He served in the United States Army in Korea from January 2, 1951 to December 31, 1952. He was the Chief U.S. Army Administration Clerk of the Press Advisory Division and Public Information Office of the United Nations Headquarters in Seoul, Korea. The Senior Associated Press correspondent, William Barnard, referred to him as “one of the three best informed GI’s in Korea”. His eye witness accounting of the war in letters to his family were published in many newspapers throughout the United States. He was awarded the Korean War Medal, the Legion of Merit Commendation Ribbon with Medal Pendants, The Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement and The National Defense Service Medal and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation. He attended all of the war briefings in Korea given by General Matthew Ridgeway, General Mark Clark and General James Van Fleet. Mr. Lingler was a proud supporter of the Korean War National Museum and the Disabled Veterans National Foundation. On April 25, 1953 he married Maryann Henninger, in the First United Methodist Church, Hamilton, Ohio. They enjoyed 65 years of marriage. Mr. Lingler was president of Martin Lingler, Inc., a coal and building material dealership founded by his father in 1911. Calvin retired in 1983. He was very active in local civic and state organizations. He was a lifetime member and past president of The Ohio Building Material Dealers Association, a loyal member of the Hamilton Rotary Club since 1954 and served three times on their board of directors and as chairman of the Rotary District Convention in Cincinnati. He was chairman of the club’s 50th and 75th anniversaries. He also served as “Classification Chairman” of Rotary for over 40 years. He was Chairman of a Committee to raise funds to build the Rotary Vista Room at the Fitton Family Center. He had a Perfect Attendance record for over 63 years. In 2004 he received Honorary Life Membership in Rotary International. He was named a Paul Harris Fellow four times by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. He exemplified the motto of Rotary “Service Above Self”. Calvin served as chairman of the Board of Zoning Appeals for the City of Hamilton for 18 years, was a member of the Butler County Republican Executive Committee, a Life member of the Y.M.C.A., his involvement at the “Y” starting at age 5. He was Chairman of Fund drives for the Y.M.C.A.. He was a lifelong member of The Presbyterian Church, serving as a member of the Board of Trustees and as treasurer of the church. He was a member of the Fort Hamilton Hospital Association and was very active in fund raising for the hospital. He was also a member of the American Legion and a life member of the B.P.O. Elks Lodge #93. He served on the Advisory Board of the Hamilton Community Foundation and was a member of the Legacy Society. In 1998 he and his wife established the Calvin and Maryann Lingler Scholarship Fund with the Community Foundation to provide scholarships to graduating seniors. He and his wife were Patrons of the Hamilton-Fairfield Symphony Orchestra and he was a past member of the Board of Trustees. He worked tirelessly to raise funds for the symphony and considered it a jewel in our community. In 1972 he was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel and that same year he was also commissioned an Admiral of the Line of the Cherry River Navy of West Virginia by his good friend, Dr. Brady Randolph. He was a devoted member of the Friends of Lane Public Library, Friends of Chrisholm, a Patron of the Greater Hamilton Civic Theatre, Encore Theatre, Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, and the Fitton Center for Creative Arts, where he served on the original building committee. He was also a member of Partners in Prime, Butler County Historical Society, Heritage Hall, a Founder of the Coach House Tavern and Grille at Berkeley Square, a member of their Advisory Committee and a member of the Colonial Legacy Society. Mr. Lingler was a past member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce serving three terms, and he also served as Vice Chairman of the Executive Board and as Treasurer of the Chamber. Through his efforts the new Chamber building became a reality in 1986. He was a past member of the Board of Directors of the Butler County Automobile Association, The American Cancer Society and CORVA. He was Chairman of the Christmas Seal Campaigns for the TB Association and a longtime member of their board. He was the Board Chairman of Junior Achievement of Hamilton, Hamilton Safety Council, Butler County Contractors Association and received their CONSTRUCTION SERVICE AWARD. He was on the Advisory Council for the United States Post Office and Advisory Committee for U.S. Service Academy Nominations. He was a past president of the Board of Directors of the Greenwood Cemetery Association. He served as President on the Board of Trustees for the Homeowners’ Association of Deerfield Village where he and his wife previously resided. A kind and generous man, he was always giving of his time to help others, as well as working for the betterment of the community. Hamilton was always important to him. His zest for living, his sense of humor and his laughter will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. He leaves his devoted wife of 65 years, Maryann H. Lingler, a nephew, Robert Steele Elliott, Gahanna, OH, nieces, Kristin Elliott Abram and her husband Allan, Loveland, OH, Patricia Henninger Hoffman, Cincinnati, OH, Karen Scott Errgang, Cincinnati, OH, and Nancy Lingler Smith, Herriman, UT, 10 great nieces and nephews and 24 great-great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Martin A. Lingler and a dear sister-in-law, Jeanne Henninger Elliott and brother-in-law Robert Jackson Henninger. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at the Weigel Funeral Home, 980 N. W. Washington Blvd., Hamilton, OH. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 A.M. with Dr. John H. H. Lewis, pastor of The Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will be on the Lingler family lot in Greenwood Cemetery. If friends so desire, they may make contributions in his memory to the Calvin and Maryann Lingler Scholarship Fund, c/o the Hamilton Community Foundation, 319 N. Third Street, Hamilton, Oh 45011, or The Presbyterian Church, 23 S. Front Street, Hamilton, OH 45011. Online condolences are available at www.weigelfuneralhome.com

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Calvin L. Lingler

April 4, 1929 - August 29, 2018