BRADFORD, OH - Carl Lincoln Via, 96, of Bradford, passed away Thursday, Dec. 26, 2007.  Since The World of Welding does not publish obituaries as a matter of routine, you may be interested in the significance of the life of Carl Via.

Carl was a 1931 graduate of Newton Schools in Miami County, Ohio, and then graduated from the Hobart School of Welding in Troy.  Since the school was started in 1930, Carl was undoubtedly one of the earliest students in the training program.  We suspect that there aren’t too many former students who have experienced this longevity.     

Carl served his country proudly during World War II in the U.S. Army. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans.

He was born Nov. 27, 1911, in Miami County to the late Edward "Ed" and Prudence (Smith) Via. He married Mary (Senseman) Via on March 17, 1948, in Kansas City, Kan., and they began a wonderful partnership together.  He will be missed and remembered by his wife and best friend, Mary Via of Bradford and more recently of Piqua; sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Jeanne Via of Warsaw, Ind., Dean and Janice Via of Graham, N.C., Paul and Jeanne Via of Covington and Karolyn Via of Pleasant Hill; grandchildren, Nicole Hall of Randleman, N.C., Daniel Via of Snowcamp, N.C., Sam Via of Painter Creek, Jackson Via of Covington, Mamie Garber of Tawalame, Calif., Bonnie Fox of Claypool, Ind., Brian Via of Chicago, Ill., Beck Via of Chicago, Ill., Jason Via of Springfield, Joel Via of Troy and Jenelle Via of Pleasant Hill; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters, Lala Hoblit of Pleasant Hill and Thelma Wise of Covington; and extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death and welcomed into heaven by his parents, Ed and Prudence; son, Dale Via; sisters, Martha Via, Mary Via, Clara Conning and Fanny Hoblit; and brothers, Wilton Via, John Via, Walter Via, Melvin Via, Dewey Via, Archie Via, Clarence Via and Otis Via.

Carl retired from Hobart Corp. in 1976 and then later from the family farming operation. He was a member of the Stillwater Community Church, Covington.