Lewis Stratton

Stratton—Lewis Stratton, 89, on September 15, 2024, at his home in Waverly, Ohio. Lewis was born on November 5, 1934, to Howard Stratton and Mabel (Whinnery) Stratton in Salem, Ohio.

Lewis was a mischief-maker from the very beginning. He loved to tell stories about getting into trouble for harassing his three sisters. His rambunctiousness was both enjoyed and misunderstood by his parents and grandparents, who sought a more practical and well-behaved path for Lewis. Nonetheless, it is clear he was loved and given opportunities to focus his energies on the trades of milling flour, farming, and learning from books. Lewis was very proud of the grit and perseverance that he learned from generations of hard workers. He passed these traits on to each of his children.

Lewis attended Olney Friends School in Barnesville, Ohio, where he met his future wife, Wanda (Frazer) Stratton. Both attended Earlham College in Richmond, Ind. In August 1954, Lewis and Wanda married at Stout Memorial Meetinghouse on Earlham’s campus.

As a conscientious objector, Lewis struggled to understand his role in addressing injustices and wished to contribute to creating peace and well-being in the world. As part of his alternative to military service, he worked with American Friends Service Committee, traveling abroad to places far different from the familiar Midwest land and values. He and Wanda spent a month in Vienna sorting clothes for Hungarian refugees, then flew to India where they were stationed in the small town of Rasulia. Lewis taught agricultural best practices to nearby villagers while Wanda assisted at a nursing clinic for local women.

They did not shy away from learning new ways, and felt privileged to offer skills and ideas to communities struggling with poverty. They loved the rich cultural life and gained great respect for the people of India. Wanda gave birth to their first daughter while in India. At the end of two years, they returned to Ohio to continue growing their family, working on their dairy farm in Flushing, and integrating themselves into the local agricultural and Quaker communities. In addition to raising six children, they hosted students from Earlham.

Lewis was a member of Short Creek Meeting in Jefferson County, Ohio, where he attended for most of his life and served as clerk for a period of time. He also often attended Stillwater Meeting in Barnesville, where his memorial meeting was held.

Lewis loved to square dance with his daughters, swirling them as fast as possible and holding them steady when they thought they would fall. Leap at life’s adventures with full abandon, trust your inner capacity to overcome obstacles, steady yourself with the people and places that you love.

As they entered their 60s, Lewis and Wanda traveled the country in an RV, visiting friends and places of interest while looking for a suitable retirement community. They wintered for a few years in a home they built in Douglas, Ariz.

In 2008, Lewis and Wanda moved to Bristol Village in Waverly, Ohio. They enjoyed the pleasures of travel to Scandinavia, China, Alaska, Central America, and Europe.

Lewis was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Wanda, in 2022.

He is survived by six children, Lynn Murnahan, Susan Stratton, Steven Stratton, Shelly Stratton, Patricia Dayton, and Michael Stratton; ten grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.