Harlan L. Laser

Harlan’s home is now with the Lord, as he was called into His presence Sunday afternoon Oct. 5, 2014, from Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus. He was 87.
Born Dec. 5, 1926, in Mansfield, Ohio, to Gilbert and Margaret (Baughman) Laser, he graduated from Mansfield Senior High School and remained a lifelong Mansfield resident. Harlan served with the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Nicknamed “Whitey,” he retired in 1993 from Therm-O-Disc with 36 years of service. More recently he could be seen at Mansfield Motor Group serving as a courtesy driver.
A longtime member of First Alliance Church, he had served the congregation as elder, usher and greeter. Harlan was the first friendly face welcoming worshippers. Harlan has left a legacy of generosity. His love for the Lord, the church and his family was inevitably demonstrated.
An avid fan of OSU football and basketball, Harlan enjoyed traveling and time spent with family both at Ft. Myers in the winter and at their cottage on Lake Erie in the summer.
Harlan’s wife Catherine Wilging Laser went to be with the Lord April 14, 2011. They enjoyed 63 years of marriage. Harlan was devoted to her, and was only able to endure her illness and passing with the Lord’s help.
He is survived by his children Vickie (Rod) Huston of Mansfield, Becky (Greg) Gault of Greenville, N.C., and Brad (Wendey) Laser of Lexington; grandchildren Kerri (Scott) Mitchell, Jodi Huston, Matt (Annie) Gault, Rob (fiancée Shannon Johnson) Gault, Eli Laser, and Nico Laser; great-granddaughters Ava Mitchell, Lillian Mitchell and one on the way; a sister-in-law Laura Laser of Ashland; brothers- and sisters-in-law Merle & Dayle Wilging of Louisiana, Robert Wilging of California, Ginger Wilging, Bruce & Sondra Wilging, and Adeline Schlegel, all of Mansfield; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a brother Donald Laser; brothers- and sisters-in-law Harold & Mary Wilging, Lillian & Harold Bolesky, Eleanor & Sam Korday, Ruth Wilging, Stan Wilging, Charles Schlegel and Viola Wilging.
The Laser family received friends Oct. 9 in the Finefrock Chapel of the Marion Avenue Snyder Funeral Home, with a service celebrating his home-going to the Lord. Burial in Mansfield Memorial Park, where Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail presented graveside military honors.