Louis John Salerno, age 95, of The Villages, FL, formerly of Elkton, MD, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 8, 2021, at the Cates House, Marion County Hospice, in Ocala, FL.

Lou was born on March 2, 1926, to Louis John Salerno and Mary Burkhardt Salerno, and grew up in a brick house built by his father in Eastwick, Philadelphia, PA, where the Philadelphia International Airport is today.

In 1944, at the age of 17 and with his mother's signature, Lou enlisted in the U.S. Army. After completing boot camp at Camp Croft, SC, he went to England on the ocean liner, SS Ile de France, and on to Scotland for training. He then went to Europe where he was in the Belgian Campaign, the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes, across the Rhineland and into Central Europe. At the Battle of Leipsic, he was wounded by shrapnel and transferred for recovery to a hospital in France. For his service in the U.S. Army, Lou was the recipient of a Purple Heart, 3 Bronze Stars and a World War II Victory Medal.

After his discharge from the military, Lou worked for a printing company in the south of Philadelphia until retirement. He married Madeline Land and bought his first house in Claymont, DE. Later, he was able to purchase a 114-acre farm where he raised chickens, horses and cows.

Some time after the death of his first wife in 1991, Lou sold his farm and met his second wife, Virginia Barnes. They were married on May 10, 2004, and lived in Elkton, MD. Lou and Virginia enjoyed music and Lou entertained many people with his ability to play the organ. In addition to the organ, he could play the guitar, banjo and cello. He was also a good cook, as any member of the family can testify to.

After Virginia's death in 2017, Lou moved to Florida with his step-children, where he appreciated the warmth and sunshine in The Villages. He took The Villages Flightless Honor Flight in 2019 and was overwhelmed by the support and attention of countless Veterans and volunteers.

He leaves behind his step-children, Virginia Selner (Bob) and Harry Barnes (Catherine); step-grandchildren, Chemayne Larsen, Margie Barnes Sotomayor, James Barnes V, Edwin Barnes and Alan Barnes; and step-great-grandchildren, Sonia Sotomayor, Curran Sotomayor, Samantha Larsen and Christian Larsen.

His step-son, James Barnes IV, preceded him in death in 2015.

The family wishes to thank Cornerstone Hospice of Lake County, Chatham Glen Nursing Home and Hospice of Marion County, and the staff of the Cates House in Ocala, FL.

Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, April 26, 2021, at Hicks Home for Funerals, 103 W. Stockton Street, Elkton, MD, where visitation will begin at 9:15 a.m. Interment with military honors in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear, DE, will follow the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Legion or to the Hospice of your choice.