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Lyle M. Lovell © Enid News and Eagle 04-03-2021 Submitted by: Glenn
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March 24, 1925 - February 24, 2021
Lyle M. Lovell passed away due to natural causes on February 24, 2021, at the age of 95. Lyle was born in Waukomis, OK, on March 24, 1925. Lyle was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Naomi Ruth, 8 siblings, and his first wife, Anna Bell (Slavicek) Lovell, of Waukomis.
He is survived by one brother, Noel Lovell, of Waukomis, and his and Ann's 6 children: Steve, David, Sandi, Ted, Sharon and James. He is also survived by his wife Grace Marie Lovell, Portage, IN, and her 4 children. Lyle had 19 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Lyle graduated from Waukomis High School and subsequently entered the U.S. Army Aviation Cadet Training Program at Randolph Field on April 20, 1943. His flight training was in the Piper Cub and the Fairfield PT-19. He next trained in the Vultee BT-13 and BT-19 Valiant aircraft. During advanced training, he flew the AT-6 Texan and the P-40 Warhawk. Upon completion of training, he was assigned to Bradley Field for fighter training in the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. In August 1944, Lyle arrived in France to provide air-to-ground support and fly strafing and bombing missions throughout France, Rhineland, Ardennes, Iceland, Italy and Central Europe.
He was shot down on his 43rd mission but managed to evade capture, safely return, and continue to proudly serve the United States. He was subsequently shot down on his 84th mission over France, taken prisoner as a POW and held in a German hospital, but was released when the war ended less than two weeks later.
Lyle returned to the States, remaining in the Air Force for two more years before proceeding to attend the University of Oklahoma during which time he married Anna Bell.
Lyle honorably served the United States between 1943 and 1947 during WWII as a fighter pilot with the 366th Fighter Group in both the European and Pacific campaigns. He received multiple honors including the Air Medal with ten Oak Leaf Clusters, the Presidential Unit Citation, the World War II Victory Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal, and the Order of the Purple Heart. In November, 2016, Lyle was awarded the Legion of Honor by the French Government in recognition of missions he flew over France during WWII. He was the last surviving member of his fighter group and was to be honored at the White House last fall, but for the coronavirus pandemic.
Upon receiving his degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma, he first joined Amoco Oil in Texas City, TX, and was eventually transferred to Indiana, traveling to several states and countries during his career.
A faithful servant of God, he was very active with several Churches of Christ in Northwest Indiana, where he was a member and Elder at the Vale Church of Christ in Valparaiso, IN. Lyle's purpose in life focused on his faith, helping others and spending time with his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Family trips and vacations were spent traveling to all 50 states visiting family, friends and the National Parks. He was a man that would share anything with anyone and would take time to help anyone at any moment; however, sharing his ice cream was a definite challenge.
His burial is scheduled for April 10, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at the Waukomis Cemetery.
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