** NOTE ** If you sent an online condolence to Samuel Lofton's family in the past, please resend it. We apologize for any inconvenience. Former Mayor of Bridgeport Passes LOFTON, Samuel Clinton, Sr., 87, of Spence Lane, Martins Ferry, Ohio, and former life-long resident of Bridgeport, Ohio, passed away Sunday, November 23, 2008, at 2:45 a.m., in the East Ohio Regional Hospital, Martins Ferry. The last child, the youngest, a son of the late Benjamin Franklin (1888-1960) and Elsie Mae Peters Lofton (1900-1985), and grandson of the late Shadrick Alexander and Mary Susan Kuhn Lofton, and Samuel Morman and Elizabeth Brown Peters, he was born in Brookside, Ohio, Saturday, July 23, 1921. An Army Veteran of World War II, Sam landed on Utah Beach, Normandy, France, on D-Day, June 6, 1944. He participated in five major battles, receiving numerous decorations, including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. A cradle roll member of the West Bridgeport United Methodist Church, Sam maintained his membership until its closing in 2004, later becoming a member of the First United Methodist Church, Bellaire. Sam was a 55-year member of the Bridgeport Masonic Lodge No. 181 F.& A.M.; a Royal Arch Mason of Martins Ferry Chapter No. 173; and a Life Member of American Legion Post No. 227, Bridgeport, Ohio. Sam was employed for many years by dairy companies including the Krob Dairy Co., Lansing, Ohio, as a milk man in the Bridgeport area. Over the years, he was employed by Wheeling Steel Co., Uwanta Linen Co., Wyandot Toys, and Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. Sam operated the Lansing Gulf Station, and retired from Ferrell's Service Station and The Citizens Bank in Bridgeport at the age of 76. Sam served on the Bridgeport City Council and was Mayor of Bridgeport from 1971-1979. He also served on the Bridgeport Board of Education. Sam enjoyed spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. His favorite pastimes were fishing, visiting with his many friends, and telling the many stories of his lifetime. In addition to his parents and grandparents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Marvin Christian Jack and Arthur Alexander Lofton; and a grandson, Kelly Lee Lofton. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sarah Virginia Mozingo Lofton, whom he married September 4, 1943, at the West Bridgeport Methodist Church, Bridgeport; two sons, Samuel Lofton, Jr. and his wife, Della, of North Ridgeville, Ohio, and Danny Lofton and his wife, Rose Ann, of Bellaire; four grandchildren, Samuel Lofton III and his wife, Vickie, of Olmstead Falls, Ohio, Lori Migyanko and her husband, Steven, of Seven Hills, Ohio, Benjamin Lofton and his wife, Kimberly, of Bellaire, and Zachary Lofton of Bellaire; six great-grandchildren, Samuel IV, Tyler and Olivia Lofton, Phillip and Anastasia Migyanko and Taylor Lofton; a stepgreat-grandson, Brennan Meadows; a sister-in-law, Betty Lofton of Bethlehem, W.Va.; numerous nieces and nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews; and many friends. Friends will be received Tuesday, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., at Wilson Funeral Home, 920 National Road, Brookside, Ohio, where services will be held Wednesday, November 26, 2008, at 11 a.m., with the Reverend James Hoff officiating. Masonic Services Tuesday at 7 p.m. Military services by Belmont County Council of the American Legion. Interment in Holly Memorial Gardens, Pleasant Grove, Ohio.