Lt. Col. Harold H. Kerestes, US Army (Ret.) 73, of Salem, died at 6:44 AM Thursday at Hospice House, Poland, Ohio. He was born on March 24, 1942 in Beaver Falls, Pa., the son of the late William and Edna (Kibler) Kerestes. He was raised by Thomas Buckius from a very small child. He was a Lt. Col. In the US Army for 20 years and retired in 1986, on March 1, 1986 he assumed the position of Executive Director of the United Way Services of Northern Columbiana County. He was a draftsman at C. F. Simmers in Lisbon, joined the Army, and then returned for short stints with them and then remained there until his retirement in 2013 from their Salem location. Harold was an assistant resource manager for a military installation at the Aberdeen Training Ground, he also served as a director of personnel and community activities for a 64,000 person community. With a staff of 9 division chiefs and 500 employees, he developed and excuted a $6 million annual budget. He served as personnel manager in numerous military installations, including Ft. Bragg, NC., N. Ky. Basic Training Co., Ft. Sill, Okla., Ft. Hood, Tx., and Ft. Meade, Md. He eas a survey platoon leader and forward observer during the the year's combat service in Vietnam. Harold was a 1960 graduate of Salem High School, a 1979 graduate of American Technological University at Killeen, Texas with a bachelor of Science in general studies. A graduate of a director of personnel and community activities course at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indiana in 1984, and military personnel officers course in personnel management training in 1976. Harold enjoyed to go hunting of small game and deer, fishing, bowling and golf were also enjoyed. A member of the P'NA Sportsman Club, a life member of the VFW, former manager of the Salem VFW Post # 892. He was also known for his wood working ability on furniture and duck decoys. He is survived by his wife, the former Eileen Mae Hall, whom he married on August 18, 1962, his daughter Melissa Mae "Missy" (Roger Tullis) Narris of Salem, grandchildren, D'Lorah Mae (Anthony Bruno) Eddinger, Timothy Scott (Julia Mcfarland) Eddinger, Zane and Colt Tullis, great grandchildren, Ella Mae Bruno and Gabriel Lee Scullion. He also had two half brothers and a half sister, two step sisters and a step brother, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews. In addition, he has his 2 sister-in-laws, Irene Alice Halverstadt of Salem, Carol Elaine (Wm.) Cox of Poland, a brother-in-law Lawrence Everett (Fran) Hall of Salem. In addition to his parents, he was preceded by 2 brother-in-laws, Walter and Robert Hall. A celebration of Life Service will be observed at 7 PM Monday at the Arbaugh-Pearce-Greenisen & Sons Funeral and Cremation Services, Salem. The Rev. Merlin Knauff will be officiating the services with Salem Honor Guard to render military honors. A time of visitation will be from 5-7 PM Monday at the funeral home. Donations can be made to hospice House, 9803 Sharrott Road, Poland, Ohio 44514, Salem High School Alumni Association 330 East State Street, Salem, Ohio 44460, or the Salem Federation of Womens Club 271 S. Broadway Ave. Salem, Ohio 44460. Please go and sign the guestbook, leave a tribute at www.apgreenisenfh.com A date and time will be announced as to the chapel/burial services at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Rittman, Ohio. The family would like to thank all those who have held Harold and the family in their prayers. A special thank you to Paul the night nurse and all the staff and management of Hospice House, your care, compassion and understanding will never be forgotten.