Clarence William English

**Clarence William English,** 87 years and 8 months, was born December 27, 1925 in Miamisburg, Ohio. He died August 6, 2013 at 4:30 p.m. at his home near Holton, after battling brain cancer for several months. He was the son of John Henry English and Rachel Ann (Miller) English, both deceased. Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Margaret (Sizemore) English, two daughters and their husbands, Karen Sue (David) Reynolds of Holton, and Wanda Renee (Jerry) Burnett of Leesburg, Florida. Grandchildren include Karen's children: Derrick (Stacy) Reynolds (stepson) of Greensburg and Melanie (Leslie) Bird of Versailles; Wanda's children: Rachel (Eric) Grossman of Holton and Gara Lee (Shaun) Kreider of Holton. Great grandchildren are Jacob Marvin Grossman, Grace English Grossman, and Keegan Jerry Kreider. Other survivors include one niece, Sharon (Andy) Ceranowicz, of Harvard, Massachusetts, and one nephew, Paul Wayne English of Seattle, Washington. English attended the North Vernon Church of the Nazarene and had a strong faith in God. Over the years, he served in various churches in a variety of ways. He was a World War II veteran, serving with distinction in the Army from 1945-1948, receiving the Victory Medal and an Army of Occupation Medal. Sergeant English was a squad leader with the 1st Constabulary Brigade in Germany. He also owned and operated his own business, English Ignition, fixing mostly generators, starters, and alternators not only in the Holton area, but received work from all around the United States for over 50 years. Clarence English, along with his friend, Paul Scholle, was instrumental in forming and hosting the Ripley Flywheeler's Reunion, held on his property every August, for about 23 years. In 1999, he was named Business Person of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce. A celebration of his life will be held Friday, August 9, from 5-8 p.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles and from 10-11 a.m. at the Versailles Church of Christ on Saturday. A homecoming service will be held at the Versailles Church of Christ on Saturday, August 10, at 11 a.m. Military rites will be conducted by the Versailles American Legion at the Hopewell Cemetery. Everyone is invited to celebrate his life. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home, Versailles. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.skfuneralhome.com