Lewis F. Treleaven
MOUNT VERNON — Lewis F. Treleaven, 89, of Mount Vernon passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, April 6, 2008.
He was the son of the late Louis and Flora (Huffer) Treleaven and was born on March 25, 1919, in Brooklyn, N.Y. Lew was raised in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, graduated from Kenyon College in 1941 and enlisted in the Marine Corps and was commissioned a second lieutenant on Nov. 1, 1941. He attended artillery school, joined the 1st Marine Division on April 1942 and assaulted Guadalcanal, Aug. 7, 1942. He went on to make five amphibious assaults, experienced over 300 days of combat and returned to the United States in August 1945. He served around the world from Paris, France to Udorn, Thailand, and was required to retire after 27 years as a colonel in 1968.
He became assistant dean (administrative) at Northwestern University Law School in Chicago, Ill. In 1971, Kenyon President Bill Caples asked Lew to return to Kenyon first as registrar, then as vice president for development and finally as special assistant to the president. The position was eliminated in 1990 and he retired at the age of 71.
He was a member of the Gambier Village Council for 16 years and the last six years as president. He was a member of the Regional Planning Group, served on the board of the YMCA, and early member of the Exchange Club and is a member of Rotary.
A lifelong Episcopalian, he had served many years on the vestry of Gambier’s Harcourt Parish in every leadership position. A Boy Scout since 1931, Lew was still a registered Scouter as an advisor, an Eagle Scout since 1936 and has served in many councils where stationed. Lew was awarded a Silver Beaver by the Muskingum Valley Council 1980.
In 1993, his devoted wife of 47 years, Beverly, passed on from Alzheimer’s. In April 2007, Lew’s eldest son, Michael, died from pneumonia. He leaves a devoted wife, Norma; sons, Peter of California and David of Oxford, Ohio; three grandchildren; and two stepsons, Eric and Jeff Fladen.
Lew will be buried in the Kenyon College Cemetery following a service at the Church of the Holy Spirit at a later date to be announced.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. The Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon is honored to serve the family of Mr. Treleaven. Online condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
