Obituary for Jack E. Lilley

Private First-Class Jack E. Lilley enlisted in the U.S. Army on July 21, 1948, and was assigned to the 1 st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Pfc Lilley was deployed on July 2, 1950, from Japan to South Korea to aid in the mission to hold the advancement of North Korea. On July 20, 1950, Pfc Lilley went missing in action after his unit was overrun by enemy forces in the vicinity of Taejon, Republic of Korea. Missing in action for 71 years, the family of Pfc Lilley was notified on November 5, 2021, that his remains were identified through DNA analysis by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. Jack’s remains are being flown from Hawaii to Westerville for burial next to his father and mother on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. Jack was born on February 6, 1931, in Wadsworth, Ohio to his parents Charles and Pearl Lilley. He grew up on a farm, attended school in Wadsworth, and worked in the town’s factory before he decided to join the Army at age 17. Jack is survived by his sister, June E. Fagan of Worthington Ohio and brother, David A. (Kym) Lilley of Westerville, Ohio, Nephews Patrick (Roberta) Fagan, Michael (Helen) Fagan, Daniel (Susie) Fagan, Nieces, Kathy Fagan, Maureen (Dan) Forney and cousins Bill Beck, Nancy Belet, Janice Clifford from Wadsworth, and Rodney Rice of Mt. Vernon. A service honoring the life of Jack E Lilley will be held on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at Hill Funeral Home in Westerville, Ohio. Visitation begins a 12:00 p.m. with a memorial service at 1:00. Burial at Northlawn Memory Gardens.