Obituary for Harold Fillinger

Funeral services for Harold “Red” Fillinger will be private. Burial will take place at Grove Cemetery. The Price-McElroy Funeral Home in Kenton is assisting the family with arrangements.

Red died on Sunday, February 7, 2021 at his residence. He was born on February 7, 1929 in Kenton to the late Irvin Fillinger and Florence (Myer) and Lester Smith. He married Doris Virgina Moore Critchfield in 1965. He is survived by two children: Debi Lynn (Michael) Johnson and Evonne Marie (Karl) Shoffstall; many half brothers and sisters, including Pat Plot of Kenton; five grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and a special nephew: Bill Williamson of Marion.

While attending Kenton High School, in the summer of 1945, he worked at Lima Tank Depot and also drove for Central Delivery in Kenton. That same year, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was sent to active duty from 1946 to 1947, to the island of Guam, to take Japanese prisoners and clean up the war-ravaged island. Red received the WWII victory medal upon his discharge.

Later in life, Red received an Honorary Kenton High School Diploma, of which he was very proud. After the military, Red worked as a signal mechanic for the NYC Railroad, then spent 34 years at Durez as a millwright until his retirement in 1999. He enjoyed having many friends, keeping up his home, and going fishing. He loved his wife, children, Kenton aka “Gods Country,” and The United States of America. Red also played the guitar and sang. Red was an active member in the First United Methodist Church but most recently had been attending Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Kenton. He loved the Lord Jesus Christ.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Trinity United Presbyterian Church or Not By Choice Outreach. Online condolences may be expressed at pricefh.net.