Obituary of Vaughn Warren Oswalt Jr.

Vaughn Warren Oswalt Jr., age 93, of Brighton and formerly of Howell died January 19, 2020. Vaughn was born December 8, 1926 in East Lansdowne, Pennsylvania to Vaughn Sr. and Ruth (Hinckley) Oswalt. On October 5, 1950 he married the love of his life Edna (Jenny) Hetrick in Detroit. He was the loving father of Linda Luneack, Sue (Mike) Kelly and Sara (Rick) Thomas; proud grandfather of John (Natasha) Luneack, Sara Ewan, Meredith Luneack, Jessica (Steve) Kelly-Shaieb, Christopher Kelly, Stephanie (Jared) Saul, Gregory (Brooke) Thomas and grandson-in-law Jarod Ewan; and great grandfather of Jackson Luneack, Clara and Joseph Ewan and Elizabeth, Henry and William Shaieb. He was preceded in death by his wife Jenny, his sister Barbara, his brother Dick, and his son-in-law Philip Luneack. Graduating from Hughes High School in Cincinnati in 1944, Vaughn joined the U.S. Navy as part of the Naval Air Crewman program. Upon discharge Vaughn enrolled in the industrial design program at Michigan State University. Graduation, marriage and a move to Los Angeles for a job with Floyd Clymer Publications occurred in quick succession. He and Jenny returned to Michigan a few years later where he began work for Chrysler Corp. in Detroit - and where he stayed for 32 years, including two years with Chrysler Argentina. Vaughn was well known for his nearly savant-level knowledge of all things automotive; he sold automotive literature at swap meets, presented programs on cars until age 92 and was a long-time member of the ACD Museum in Auburn, IN. Besides his family, his pride and joy was his 1955 Jaguar XK140 and later, his 1981 Dodge Mirada. He claimed to have owned over fifty cars in his lifetime. He was a wonderful husband and father whose energy revolved around his family. His sense of humor was legendary and his social nature and sense of service led him to many club and volunteer activities. These included the Kiwanis, the Rotary Club, the Civil War Roundtable and the Vintage Motor Car Club of America (Brighton chapter). He and Jenny were long-time active members of the Howell First United Methodist Church, volunteers with the American Red Cross and often played pinochle and euchre with friends and family. A memorial service is planned for 11:00 am Saturday, March 7 at the First United Methodist Church, 1230 Bower St., Howell with visitation at the church from 10:00 am - 11:00 am. Private burial of cremains will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Howell. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Howell or the National Automotive History Collection of the Detroit Public Library.