John L. Lewis Sr.

John L. Lewis, Sr., age 86, of Sarasota, Florida, and formerly of New Philadelphia died March 29, 2006 in his residence.A son of the late Thomas and Mary (Guttas) Lewis, John was born December 14, 1919 at Byesville, Ohio.He was a 1939 graduate of Byesville High School. Following graduation John served in the United States Army during World War II under General George Patton in the Tank Division participating in every major armored campaign from North Africa to D-Day. He also operated several local restaurant and taverns such as the B & K Lunch located behind New Philadelphia High School, Hi-Lo Bar and Birdseye Inn. John was also a landlord for many years.He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at Dover as well a life member of the New Philadelphia Elks and VFW Post 1445. He was also a member of the former New Philadelphia Moose and Eagles Lodges. John loved life and travel, particularly gambling junkets to Las Vegas where he would spend hours at the poker table. He enjoyed watching westerns and action movies on television. He especially loved family get togethers and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.He is survived by his children Jack (Barbara) Lewis, Tom “Louie” Lewis, and Kristie Morrison all of New Philadelphia and Maria (Mike) Burkey of Dover; grandchildren Lori (Steve) Beans, Bobbi and Charlie Lewis, Tiffany and Sara Morrison, Michele and Mitchel Burkey; great grandchildren Kendra Morrison, and Ashley and Kaeley Beans; brother Fred of Columbus and sister Elizabeth of Byesville and a special cousin Geneva Tonnous of Byesville.John was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Freda Saba and a twin brother, George Lewis; as well as his ex wife, Roberta Reynolds-Lewis and mother-in-law Sara Reynolds both of whom worked with him in the tavern business.Visitation will be held on Monday, April 3, 2006 from 5-8 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Father Bill Arnold will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday at 10 AM in St. Joseph Catholic Church at Dover. Burial will then take place at 1 PM in Mt. Calvary Cemetery at Byesville. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date at Tri-Par Estates, the retirement community in Sarasota where he lived the past 19 years.