John S. North

John S. North, 92, of Bryan, Ohio, died Saturday, March 22, 2014, at 9:47 P.M. at Community Health Professionals Inpatient Hospice near Defiance, Ohio, where he was a patient after an extended illness. Mr. North enlisted in the United States Army in 1942 and served as a Sergeant with the Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon, Headquarters Company, 329th Infantry Regiment of the 83rd "Thunderbolt" Infantry Division. From 1944-1945, he participated in campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe and led the first American patrol across the Rhine River at Neuss, Germany. Wounded during Operation Cobra, he spent time in the hospital in England recuperating from his wounds. He then was assigned as a tank commander serving with the 3rd Armored Division at the Battle of the Bulge. For his service he was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star with an Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, a Presidential Unit Citation, American Campaign Medal, EAME Medal with five Stars and an Arrowhead, Victory Medal, a combat infantry badge, Province of Normandy Liberation Medal, and expert marksman with rifle and grenade bars. In 2010 he was awarded the Knight of the Legion of Honor Medal presented by the French government, which was created by Napoleon as the highest honor that France can bestow upon those who have achieved remarkable deeds for France. John was employed by the United States Postal Service in Bryan, retiring with twenty-five years of service. His memberships included Bryan VFW Post #2489, where he served as a past commander and was active with the state of Ohio VFW, the DAV, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart. He served on the Center Township Zoning Commission for many years. John S. North was born March 3, 1922, in Center Township of Williams County, Ohio, the son of Lewis M. and Nellie M. (Jones) North. He married Grace L. Coulson on December 31, 1945, in Center Township, and she survives. Survivors also include two sons, Michael North, of Bryan, and Mark North, of Defiance, Ohio; three sisters, Donna Lacy, of Toledo, Ohio, Helen Grandey, of Hicksville, Ohio, and Rosemary Renn, of Marion, Ohio; and two brothers, Carl North, of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Dean (Elsie) North, of Edon, Ohio. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Clifford, Don and Jack North, and four sisters, Doris Rock, Della Fleming, Wilma Ruppert and Ruth Johnson. Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 26, 2014, from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 P.M. in the Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan. Services will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2014, at 11:00 A.M. in the Krill Funeral Home with Ted Mathes officiating. The family will also receive visitors for one hour prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 A.M., on Thursday. Interment will be in Eddy Cemetery, Hamilton, Indiana, with grave side military rites conducted by Bryan VFW Post #2489. Memorials are requested to Community Health Professionals Defiance Inpatient Hospice Center.