Columbus, OH — Arthur Jewell Erford, 89, died May 15, 2021, at Mercy Defiance Hospital.

He was born June 18, 1931, the next to the youngest of 10 children of Henry Michael and Mary Dorothy (Mack) Erford, on a Hamler, Ohio, farm where he spent the next 89 years.

As a boy, one of his earliest memories was riding astride a Belgian draft horse while working his father’s fields. He loved all sports, but particularly baseball. Throughout his life he was an avid Detroit Tigers fan and rooted for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Mr. Erford served his country, his community and was devoted to his wife and family. He will be remembered for his optimism, kindness and humor, stories, and incredible memory. He loved dancing and singing, frequently breaking into spontaneous song.

He graduated in 1949 from Hamler High School, turning down a full scholarship to The Ohio State University in agriculture, saying “I already know how to do this.” He was drafted in 1952 and served in the Korean conflict for two years. He took great pride in the fact that his three older brothers served during World War II, with Henry “Mack” earning a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

Mr. Erford married Mary Ann Bratton in Leipsic, Ohio, on Sept. 17, 1955. Together they danced through life, farming and raising five children. For a number of years, they owned and operated the Dairy Creme in Deshler.

Over the years, he served as president of the Fanners Union, was a Marion Township Trustee, and President of Hamler Co-op. He was a member of the Hamler American Legion, St Paul’s Disciples of Christ, the Northwesternaires Chorus (Defiance Chaper) for 40 years, a certified member of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America, a life-long member of Patrick Henry Athletic Boosters, United States Trotting Association and the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association.

He had owned and bred Standardbreds since 1962, frequently naming them for children and grandchildren. He and Mary followed their Erford Stables horses, attending races throughout the Midwest. His association with the sport began with the purchase of his first horse, Anita Wynn. He has owned and bred more than 20 horses. His pride and joy was Super Shann, bred by his mare, Sugar Breeches.

He loved to golf and his family hosted the annual Art Erford Open on his birthday for the last nine years.

One of the things he missed most in recent months was meeting with a group of friends every morning at the Hamler Diner for coffee.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; sisters, Margaret Zachrich, Eileen Reese, and Mary Ann (Jim) Gerbers; daughters, Karla Treece, Jill (Mark) Schumacher, Beth (Larry) Vocke, and Ann (J. Douglas) Miller; son, Paul (Stacy); 16 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren with two more on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Lenore Gerschutz, Jean Hammer and Rita “Marvelle” Clausen; brothers, Henry “Mack,” John, and Reynold; and son-in-law, Ronald Treece.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hamler Fire and EMS or a charity of your choice.