Wells Oyster

Wells Oyster, age 86, formerly of Alliance, passed away at 7:11 p.m., Monday, July 18, 2016, at Rose Lane Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Massillon.
He was born December 7, 1929, in Chester, West Virginia, to Harry L. and Helen (Winder) Oyster and has resided in Alliance since 1942.
A 1947 graduate of Alliance High School, Wells was employed with Alliance Machine for 31 years in the structural department before his retiring in 1994.
Wells served in the United States Air Force for four years, honorably discharged as a Sgt. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Alliance, Conrad Masonic Lodge No. 271 F&AM, past master of the former J.E. McFadden Lodge No. 697 F&AM, Alliance Chapter No. 83 Royal Arch Masons, Alliance Commandry No. 67, Knights Templar, Tadmor Temple Shrine, and Alliance Shrine Club. His favorite hobby was to grow orchids and was a member of the National Orchid Society.
Wells was also a life-time, avid photographer and was the unofficial photographer of the Tadmor Shrine Circus. He also served as a transport driver for three Shrine Children's Hospitals for a number of years.
His survivors include his son, Jeffrey James (Sandra E. Miller) Oyster of North Canton; daughter, Dixie O. (John) March of Kingstowne, Virginia; and four grandchildren, Rachel Elizabeth Oyster, Audrey Ann Oyster, Katherine Anna March and Dakota Wells March. He is also survived by one great-granddaughter, Aunileigh Paige Oyster.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of fifty four years, Nancy Kate (Hughes) Oyster, whom he married March 6, 1952; three brothers, Howard, Carl and Charles; and two sisters, Hilda and Evalyn.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 23, 2016, at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home with Rev. James K. McCurdy officiating. A Masonic Service will follow the funeral service. Friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. prior to the service.
Arrangements are by Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home 75 S. Union Ave., Alliance, OH 44601.