Lydia E. McElroy

Lydia E. McElroy age 82 of Lima, died 2:55 a.m., Sunday, March 29, 2015 at Lima Memorial. She was born Aug. 6, 1932 in Auglaize County to the late John Barnes and Beatrice (Holten) Fitzpatrick and adopted by the late Glen and Reo Copus. She was previously married to Ronald Freed, Sr. and Thomas W. McElroy who preceded her in death.
She enjoyed roses, flowers, making fudge and candy, camping at the “River”, playing bingo and loved her little dog A.J. She also enjoyed collecting recipes and recipe boxes. She had been a machinist and worked in shipping at Randall Bearing INC.
Survivors include 4 children; Ronald (Cynthia) Freed, Jr., Steven (Teresa) Freed, Cheryl (Joe) Nagy and Benett (Jackie Sibold) Freed all of Lima 2 stepsons; Randy (Joyce) McElroy and Mark (Pauline) McElroy both of Delphos, 15 grandchildren; Jerod Freed, Jennifer (Ashley Mueller) McNamara, Denise (Nathan) Richard, Alexis McNamara, Alisha (Michael) Banks, Nicole Freed, Missy (Brett) Ehrman, Aaron Freed, Elizabeth Melching, Sandy (Bridget Ball) Nagy, Kimberly (Justin) Blatz, Eric (Amber) Adkins, Sam (Rebecca Rambo) Wheeler, Lydia (Alex) Seigrist and Benjamin (Chelcie) Freed; 16 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren, a brother; Leonard (Roberta) Copus of Byrdstown, TN and a foster sister; Carol Lewis of Lima.
She was preceded in death by a son, Denver “Denny” Freed in 1955, a granddaughter, Mary Beth McNamara and a brother, Dale Copus.
The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Tuesday March 31 and noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday at Bayliff & Son Funeral Home, Cridersville.
The funeral service will begin 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with Rev. Dottie Kaiser officiating.
Donations may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society, Veterans Food Pantry or Relay for Life of Lima.