By: Mark Holtsberry
Jay Russell Deerwaster was born October of 1897, the son of Westley, born in Ohio January of 1877, and Inez L. (Nelson) Deerwaster born January of 1879 in Indiana. This couple was married in July 29, 1896 in Paulding.
By 1900, this couple was living in Harrison Township. Like many folks, they were farmers and they had a son, Jay, who was two years old.
By 1910, the Deerwaster family had moved to Benton Township on Townline Street in Payne. Westley became a barber, owning his own shop. Jay had two brothers and two sisters. Floyd born in 1900; Mildred M. 1903; Irene D. 1906; and Kenneth L. 1908. Jay was well as Floyd and Mildred were in school.
On October 13, 1914, Jay married a gal named Flossie Evelyn Fell in Paulding. She was born February of 1899 in New Jersey, the daughter of Lewis F. and Louiza Fell. A son, Westley Russell Deerwaster was born March 6, 1918. A daughter Eline was born in February of 1916. Another daughter, Evelyne was born in 1917.
On September 12, 1918, Jay’s father, Westley, registered for the World War draft. Medium height and weight, blue eyes, light hair, but at the age of 41, he was not selected.Jay signed up at Columbus Barracks in Columbus, Ohio June 29, 1918. He was listed as 5’5″, brown eyes, brown hair, ruddy complexion, and listed as a barber. He served with Company M., 10th Infantry. He was Honorably Discharged January 17, 1919.
By 1923, the Deerwaster family, Jay, Flossie, Evelyne and Westley Russell moved to Toledo, Ohio. They were living at 22008 Ashland Avenue. Jay was working as a mechanic and the children were in school.
On May 1, 1926, Jay passed away. Unclear of what happened. His body was brought to Payne, where he was buried in Wiltsie Cemetery, section 3, lot 153, grave 3. After Jay died, the children moved to Payne and lived with the grandparents, Westley and Inez. By 1928, Flossie remained in Toledo. She is living at, 019 Evesham Avenue.
By 1930 she moved to 527 Oliver Street in Toledo. She never remarried and passed away in Toledo July 16, 1936, burial site unknown. Westley Russell Deerwaster went on to serve in the Navy during World War Two. He was listed as 5’10”, 158 pounds, ruddy complexion, brown hair, blue eyes. Enlisted into service December 31, 1941, mustered into service September 30, 1942. Discharged November 26, 1945. He passed away June 15, 1978 and was buried in Wiltsie Cemetery. Records are not clear as to what happened to Evelyne or Eline.
