On Sept. 9, the Village of Lakemore’s Doughboy statue was stolen and on Sept. 23 the Doughboy was found by Mogadore resident, Michael Wright. The Doughboy was in approximately two-feet of water at Mogadore Reservoir.

“It was amazing,” said Wright, a veteran of the Korean Conflict. “I saw something sticking out of the water. It looked like a doll or something. I got a rope and tied it on to the leg and pulled it out,” he said. “When it came up and I could see it I thought, ‘hey that is the little dude from Lakemore.’”
Wright had read about the disappearance of the doughboy in the newspaper and stated that he grew up in Springfield and spent a lot of time in Lakemore. He had passed the statue hundreds of times.

Once he pulled the doughboy to the shore he rolled it into his truck and drove it to the Lakemore Police station. He went in and said, “I think I found your little doughboy.” He stated that everyone was very happy.

Wright was at the reservoir taking pictures of “Flat Stanley” for his grandson for school. Once the statue was out of the water he took a picture of “Flat Stanley” with the statue. He thought his grandson’s class would get a kick out of it.

Lakemore Police Chief Ken Ray said, “It’s damaged, but I do think it can be repaired. We do not know who took it yet but we are working on that. That was a nice thing he (Wright) did.”
Lakemore resident James Richards said, “We are just happy it is back.”

A new doughboy would be quite costly for the village. “We will hold another dedication when it is repaired and back in place,” said Richards. He also stated that it is not just a monument to Lakemore soldiers but for all of those who fought for our freedom. “It may not mean much to those who took it but it means a lot to Lakemore,” Richards said.

Wright said he was at the reservoir in the same place the day before and it was not there at that time and on the next morning there it was. He also mentioned that the gun was broken and a piece was lying on the path to the lake.

If you have any information as to who might have taken the doughboy, call Lakemore Police at 330-733-6125. A reward is being offered.