Col. Dwight E. Naylor

February 28, 1926 - May 1, 2020

Colonel Dwight E. Naylor, 94, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2020. Born February 28, 1926 to Joseph Sylvester and Ethel Florence (Thompson) Naylor at “Naylor’s Crossing” on Smith-Goshen Road in Beloit, Ohio. Dwight graduated from Garfield Elementary and earned his diploma from Goshen High School after the war. Dwight joined the United States Marine Corps at age 16. He was afraid the war would end before he (and other under-aged boys) could defend their country. He had a tremendous love of country and prided himself on his service to his country. Dwight went to boot camp at Paris Island, SC. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA. and attended cold weather school at Pickle Meadows, CA. Dwight graduated from the Indiana Wesleyan University and continued graduate studies at the Ohio State University, Whittenburg University, and the University of Toledo. While in the Marines, he attended several schools at Quantico, Basic Officer school, Command and Staff School 1 and 2, and Tank Officers Armored Command at Fort Knox, KY. Dwight is a survivor of Iwo Jima where he spent his 19th birthday on Green Beach and witnessed the flag raising on Mount Suribachi. He served in WWII and Korea, and as an advisor in Vietnam. He was a recruiter in Lima, Ohio. In retirement, he was a patrolman in Monroe and Fort Shawnee, Ohio and a Wells Fargo guard in Jacksonville, FL. He was on the Board of Directors at the Mandarin Senior Center in Jacksonville. For years, he served as an Ombudsman for the Florida State Attorney and volunteered as a mediator for the State Attorney’s Juvenile Justice First Offenders Program. Dwight’s Ohio family includes his four children and their spouses, 21 grandchildren, and 47 great-grandchildren. In Florida, he has two sons by marriage, their spouses as well as a granddaughter and spouse and two great-grandsons. His Florida family admire and thank him for his unselfish and devoted care of Louise for more than ten years. Dwight found Phillis, his late-in-life love and best friend, in Jacksonville, Florida. They moved to “Beautiful Ohio” in 2006, making their home in Alliance, Ohio. For ten years, they were “snow birds” enjoying winter in Florida and the other seasons in Ohio. Dwight continued his community work by giving generously to several projects at Beloit Park. In lieu of flowers, Dwight will be honored by contributions to the Beloit Friends Church, 18042 5th Street, Beloit, Ohio 44609. Preceded in death by his parents, Dwight is survived by his wife, Phyllis Lichter Naylor, Nancy (Russ) Sweet, Alice (Steve) Webb, Joe (Becky) Naylor, and Ray (Kathy) Naylor all of Ohio, sons by marriage in Florida Mike (Robin) Solomon, David (Kathleen) Solomon, Lee (Linda) Ahr, sister Margaret (Joe) McPherson of Indiana, the big Lichter family, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. One of Dwight’s favorite scriptures is Psalm 91. Private services will be held. Burial, with military honors, will immediately follow at Damascus Cemetery. You are invited to view Dwight's tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories at www.sharerfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are by the Sharer-Stirling-Skivolocke Funeral Home.