LEWIS "LOU" FREDERICK KOEHLINGER SR., 89, of Fort Wayne, died Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, at his home. He was a lifelong resident of Fort Wayne, where he devoted his life to his God, his country, and his family. Born Oct. 25, 1922, he graduated from Concordia Lutheran High School. When World War II erupted, he volunteered to join the legendary General Claire Lee Chennault's Fourteenth Air Force "Flying Tigers" unit and proudly served for three years. As the Aerial Engineer and Crew Chief on the B-25 fighter, he positioned the pilots, navigators, radio operators, flight engineers, and supplies of the U.S.'s 20,000 troops with the French Indochina Theater to maintain a foothold in Asia and tying down over a million Japanese soldiers. Honorably discharged in 1945, he was decorated with the American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, two Bronze Stars, a Gold Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. Returning home in 1945, his athletic ability landed him a job at Lincoln National Bank & Trust Co. (now Wells Fargo), as the bank's pitcher on its softball team. He was loyal to one employer his entire civilian career and retired from Lincoln Bank after 41 years. In 1947, he married the beautiful Gladys Gebhardt and became a role model husband and father, putting family first and demonstrating a life of Service before Self. A devout Christian, he was an active member of Trinity English Lutheran Church for over 64 years. He was nicknamed 'Bing' by fellow soldiers, as even in the middle of death and destruction, he raised the spirits of his fellow patriots with his crooner-style Bing Crosby voice. A Flying Tiger 'til the end, he approached every minute and every breath as a gift from his Father in Heaven, with whom he is reunited, along with Gladys, his love for over 50 years, his oldest son, Lou Jr., and a host of family and friends. He is survived by a sister, Margaret Anderson of Irvine, Calif.; son, Greg (Cathy) Koehlinger of Chicago; daughter, Leslie Koehlinger-Ellett of Dallas; four granddaughters, Logan Ellett Evelyn (Matt) of Denver, Lauren 'Pepper' Ellett of Boston, Annie Koehlinger of Chicago, and Jordan Ellett of Dallas; and his cherished companion, Barbara Streicher. Service is 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, at Trinity English Lutheran Church, 405 W. Wayne St. The Rev. Dr. Fred Hasecke officiating. Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, 2011, at Klaehn, Fahl & Melton Funeral Home, 420 W. Wayne St., Fort Wayne. Interment immediately following service in Lindenwood Cemetery. Preferred memorials to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Chicago or the church. www.klaehnfahlmelton.com



Published in Fort Wayne Newspapers on December 1, 2011