He was born on December 15, 1922, in Darke County, Ohio, to the late Howard L. and Carey (Wogoman) Foureman.
In addition to his parents, Floyd was preceded in death by his wife, Betty (Howe) Foureman, whom he married on May 8, 1947; his step-son, Duane Singer; and his siblings, Elizabeth Runion, Bernice Behren, Warren Foureman, anmd Thelma Pilcher.
Floyd spent his entire 97 years here in Darke County. His youth as a farm boy was rigorous and full of farm adventures with many Bradford Pumpkin Shows and, of course, many Darke County Fairs. He attended Franklin School and graduated from there, in the midst of WWII, in 1942. Floyd was a strong and fit youth and was the County’s champion miler that year. He did not have to go into the Army, as he was the only son of a farmer, but elected to do so in response to his deep inner sense of duty and soon found himself on the German border in March of 1945. It was there, when leading a patrol, that he was shot in the stomach. He was later awarded both the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his actions, but his health was forever changed. Floyd returned home to a grateful community, found his wife, Betty and started a family, but never resumed farm work. His service experience affected the remainder of his life as he became a member of and served the Greenville DAV chapter and many local veteran’s activities up into his 90s - until he could no longer stand for the duration of Honor Guard ceremonies, of which he attended and led scores.
His work career was principally as a machinist but along the way was a truck driver, farm hand, and was acknowledged as the first employee of Fitzwater’s here in Greenville - a source of some delightful stories. Floyd’s other enduring passion was for motorcycles which seemed to us, his family, to always be in his life. There were innumerable poker runs, rallies, and many trips to see flat track racing at the fairgrounds and at Eldora. The apex of these activities was, of course, he and his wife, Betty (in a side car), riding with friends from Darke County to Daytona Beach, Florida in 1962- in the snows of February. This event remains legendary and almost mythical in the family - but it indeed did happen.
Floyd’s role as the family patriarch extended over many decades and over four generations. He and Betty were involved in many family activities and events and continued to be a source of comfort, inspiration, understanding and affection to so many of us for so long. A major feature of this closeness to us all was his and Betty’s openness - they were always, always able to extend, to all, a complete sense of being welcomed.
Floyd is survived by his children, Gary (Lois Ann) Foureman of Durham, North Carolina, Dwight (Peggy) Foureman of Arcanum, Ohio, and Sharon Foureman of Greenville, his step children, Jackie (Donna) Singer of Tipp City, Ohio, Annette Deeter of Ripon California, Lucille Deeter of Ripon California; his grandchildren, Angie (Ben) Blumenstock of Greenville, Ami Powell of Piqua, Aaron Foureman of Greenville, Eric (Pam) Foureman of Verona, Ohio, Emily (Scott) Harrison of Brookville, Ohio, Jason (Megan) Foureman of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Brian Singer of Dayton, Collene Singer of Dayton, and Susan (Greg) McCrabb of Columbus; and his numerous great and great-great grandchildren.
A public graveside service, will full military honors, will take place on Thursday, April 30, 2020, at 2:00 P.M. at Brock Cemetery in rural Darke County. Social distancing guidelines will be observed.
Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.tributefuneralhomes.com.