Maynard Lewis

Maynard Lewis? soul left his earthly body on Tuesday evening, December 20th. He was surrounded by his family. He followed in his wife?s belief that our eternal soul has no birth and no death. He believed everyone must awaken his or her inner soul to the True Enlightenment, coming from the tiny spark that our Creator places in every one of us. Anyone can detect their intuition of nature and reason. Maynard believed in our Deity?s never ending energy and was grateful for recognizing the wisdom that can shine within each of us. Maynard was an avid sportsman and loved all athletics. In his hometown of Bloomfield, Indiana, he was famous for his athletic ability in basketball,baseball, pole vaulting, the 100-yard dash, high jump, and shot put. He earned a basketball scholarship to Indiana State University where he was voted most valuable player. Maynard also won many Columbus area bowling tournaments in singles, doubles, and all events including at least twelve perfect 300 games; team events in first 800 series in Columbus; many 700 series; senior championships twelve times; highest bowling average in the Nationals; induction into the Indiana Bowling Hall of Fame in 1984; won the National Elks tournament; 1979 Bowler of the Year; captain of the 1979 All Star team; coached little league team bowling, including his two sons, Steve and Jeff. He was also a legend in Columbus golf circles. Maynard was a two-time All-City golf tournament champion and a two time All-City champion in the senior division. He was also quite proud of shooting a 67 at the age of 67 at Otter Creek Golf Course. Maynard?s love of fishing was another favorite hobby. He enjoyed taking his beloved and faithful dog, Lew-ee, along. Maynard retired in 1990 from Public Service Indiana after forty years. He was born Christmas Day 1929 to Vernon and Georgia Lewis in Bloomfield, Indiana. He married Aleta Gentry in 1951, his wife of sixty years, who survives him. They have four children, Denise Eckelman, Elaine Nidey, Steve (Rachel) Lewis, and Jeff (Sheri) Lewis. He has nine grandchildren, Amber Mast, Joe Lewis, Joe Nidey, Kristen Eckelman, Jenny Behnke, Zach Lewis, Joshua Eckelman,Kylie Nidey and Kelly Lewis, and eight great-grandchildren, with a ninth expected in the spring. He was preceded in death by his parents; his older brother, Jimmy; his best friend and son-in-law, Tim Eckelman;and his beloved grandson, Joshua Eckelman. Per his wishes, there will be no calling hours or funeral services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bartholomew Humane Society in care of Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home.

Maynard Lewis

December 25, 1929 - December 20, 2011