Dwight D. Firestine

Dwight D. Firestine, 102, of Elyria, passed away peacefully at The Abbewood on October 18, 2023. He was born on a farm in Raymond, Ohio on August 22, 1921, the son of Marion and Besse (Thompson) Firestine. He had resided in Elyria for much of his life, formerly living in Cleveland and Amherst. Dwight served in the U.S. Army as part of the military railroad service during World War II, stationed in North Africa and Italy. He was discharged as a T5 in October 1945. Prior to serving his country, Dwight worked for the New York Central Railroad in Columbus, Ohio for the signal department. After the war, he returned to work for New York Central, and later Penn Central, finally retiring from ConRail after 43 years as a signal inspector. He loved traveling the country and camping in his mobile home with his wife Maxine, playing cards, fishing, and observing wildlife. He and Maxine were married for over 59 years before her passing. He was a longtime member of the First Congregational Church of Elyria, the Black River Stamp Club, and the Senior Men’s Fellowship. Dwight is survived by two sons, Ronald Firestine and his wife Joan of Youngstown, and Mark Firestine and his wife Kelly of Elyria, three daughters, Patricia Starling and her husband Jody of Chesapeake, VA, Connie Linden and her husband Alfred of Elyria, and Gail Wiegand and her husband Tim of Merrimack, NH. He was blessed with twelve grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Maxine (Smith) Firestine, son Gary Firestine and his wife Diane, sisters, Dorothia Fawley, Cathrine Inskeep, and brother, Delbert Firestine. Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2023 from 11 AM until the time of service at 1 PM at the Laubenthal Mercado Funeral Home 38475 Chestnut Ridge Road (at State Route 57) in Elyria. Pastor Cal Searles will officiate.  A private burial will be held at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville, OH at a later date. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Dwight’s memory may be made to The National Parks Foundation at nationalparks.org. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.laubenthalmercado.com. Arrangements entrusted to Laubenthal Mercado Funeral Home in Elyria.

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