DON BEHM

BELLEVUE — Don Earl Behm passed away Friday, August 14, 2015 at the age of 89.

He was born in Bloomville, Ohio on April 17, 1926 to Irving and Florene Behm. After graduating from Bloomville High School in 1944, he was drafted into the United States Army, serving in General George Patton's Third Army, 11th Armored Division, 41st Cavalry Mechanized, "B" Troop, where he saw action in the Battle of the Bulge and across Europe. He knocked down the gates at Mauthausen Concentration Camp near Linz, Austria and later attended the war crimes trials at Nuremburg.

Don met Jean (nee Good) while attending Heidelberg College where he graduated in 1951. They were married a year later and moved to Fireside, south of Bellevue. A life-long supporter of athletics at Heidelberg, he was enshrined in their sports hall of fame in 1999.

After stints with the Northern Ohio Breeder's Association and the National Biscuit Company, he found his true calling in education, teaching at Thompson Local, and later Bellevue City Schools, where he retired in 1991. Known as the Voice of the Redmen, he will be best remembered for his stirring renditions of the Star Spangled Banner, completing a promise he made in a foxhole in Europe. Bellevue honored him with induction into the Bellevue Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.

He was a member of Zion United Church of Christ, Fireside, Seneca Lodge #790 Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio, American Legion Post #339, Bellevue, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1238, Bellevue.

He is survived by sons Scott (Pat) of Sheffield Lake, Stephen (Kim) of Avon Lake, Stewart (Elizabeth) of Tiffin, his daughter Suzannah of Columbus, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; his sister Zoe Ann Brown (Ray) of Lyndhurst. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 58 years Jean (nee Good), and his brothers Paul and Gordon ("Zach").

Calling hours will be held on Monday, August 17 from 2 to 8 p.m. at Foos & Foos Funeral Service, 151 Yorkshire Place in Bellevue where Masonic Services will be held at 7:30 p.m. Calling will also be held on Tuesday, August 18, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Zion United Church of Christ, Fireside where funeral services will begin at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting memorial contributions be made to Music Fund at Zion United Church of Christ, Fireside or the The Lichtman-Behm Genocide Lecture Series at Heidelberg University, Tiffin.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.foosfuneral.com.