James E. Lash, 88 of Garrett, died on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne. He was born July 11, 1924 in Avilla to the late Charles A. and Dessie M. (Treesh) Lash. James was a WWII veteran having served in the US Army where he was a POW and Purple Heart recipient. He married Lucille M. Bond October 31, 1946 and she died September 29, 2002. He worked in the shipping department at Dana in Auburn for 36 years, retiring in 1991. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church Knights of Columbus Council 1790 and Garrett American Legion. He is survived by 2 sons, James C. Lash of Fort Wayne and David T. (Jane) Lash of Carmel; a daughter, Dianne L. Thomas of Garrett; 7 grandchildren, Christopher Lash of New Jersey; James Lash of Cincinnati, OH; Christina (Derek) Merritt of Ashley, IN; Karen (Ben) Myers of Garrett; Benjamin (Leah) Thomas of Wilson, NC; Michael Lash of Fort Wayne and Crista Lash of Chicago, IL; 8 great grandchildren; son in-law, Dave Marti of Garrett and his beloved dog, Billie Boy. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Cindy S. Marti, brother, Donald Lash and a son in-law, Lee A. Thomas. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Garrett, Fr. Andrew Nazareth will officiate. Burial will follow in Christian Union Cemetery with military honors by the Garrett American Legion and VFW. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 15, 2013 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Thomas Funeral Home, 1277 C.R. 56 Garrett and 1 hour prior to the funeral mass at the church. A Rosary service will take place at 4 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials are to St. Joseph Catholic Church