Finley Croyle

LISBON - Finley Leroy Croyle Jr, 91, passed away peacefully at his home in Lisbon, Ohio in the morning of September 23, 2024. 

He was born on October 4, 1932 and was the son of Finley Leroy Croyle Sr and Nellie (Wolbaugh) Croyle. Finley was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 

As a child, Finley was adventurous and explored the Mahoning River near his childhood home. His family moved to Southington, Ohio, where the family ran a small dairy farm. He attended Southington school, where he played high school basketball and was tri-county athlete for most points during his high school days at Southington High School.

After graduating high school, he enlisted in the US Army and served 18 months in the Korean War Conflict with the 187th Infantry Airborne, a Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. 

After returning home from the Korean War, Finley met and married Joan Frances Znidarsic on November 5th, 1955. Lee was the first of six children, who came along in June of 1957 and five more siblings followed; Mark, Sharon, Karen, Frank and Thomas Croyle.

The Croyle family lived in Champion, Ohio until 1971, when Finley purchased a 150-year old farm on Middletown Road, outside of Salem, Ohio. Finley was a hard worker his entire life. He worked to restore the old farmhouse and the barn, while working full time in skilled trades, as a pipefitter at General Motors in Lordstown, Ohio.

Finley was a kind soul toward all animals. He would rescue abused horses and nurture them back to good health and took much pride in doing so. At one point, the barn housed 13 horses and ponies. He built fencing by hand, with acres of pasture for the horses to have plenty of space to run and feed. The loft in the upstairs of the barn was always full of fresh hay and straw from the property. 

Finley made sure a huge garden was planted every year in the spring, to supply fresh food for the family. Joan and Finley would have a large, extended family gathering for a corn roast every summer. The farm also provided fresh blackberries and raspberries in which, his wife Joan would hand pick to make fresh berry pies.

After retiring from General Motors, Finley sold the farm and moved his wife Joan and Thomas to Beloit, Ohio and then to Florida for the next 20 plus years. Finley and Thomas remained living in Florida after Joan passed away in 2008. Finley then, moved back to Rogers, Ohio, where he spent the last years 10 years of his long life. 

Finley leaves behind his remaining children, Finley Lee Croyle, Sharon (Croyle) Holko, Karen (Glenn) Watterson, Frank Croyle and Thomas Croyle. Finley also leaves his youngest sister, Patricia (Croyle) Sherry (Joseph), of Meadville, PA.

Finley is preceded in death by his loving wife, Joan and his son, Mark S. Croyle. He is also preceded in death by his parents and siblings; Betty (Croyle) Snell, Carol Kay (Croyle) Thomas and Daniel Croyle along with grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to his son, Frank Croyle and his long-time friend, Margie, for taking care of Finley during the last years of his life.

There will be no service at this time, at Finley's request. His cremated remains will be buried with his wife Joan at Hope Cemetery in Salem, Ohio and a Military Honor Salute at a later date. A private family gathering will follow at that time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Columbiana County Humane Society, 1825 S. Lincoln Ave., Salem, Ohio 44460.

Professional arrangements are being handled by Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Salem Chapel.