Harold "Shep" Simon, 86, died at 8 p.m. Dec. 25, 2011.

He was born July 8, 1925, in Russia, to Alfred L. and Christine Monnier Simon. On Nov. 20, 1948, he married Martha Bollheimer, who survives in Russia.

Also surviving are eight children, Linda (Allie) Cordonnier, Russia, Dianne (Jim) Bitzer, Versailles, Ron (Laura) Simon, Russia, Barb (Jon) Meyer, Minster, Rick (Pat) Simon, Russia, Bob Simon, Russia, Doug Simon, Tipp City, and Jacqui (Steve) Rethman, Fort Loramie; two sisters, Henrietta Blue, Centerville, and Luella Borchers, Fort Loramie; a brother-in-law, Richard Boesch, Dayton; a sister-in-law, Jeanette Brooks, Vandalia; in-laws, Paul Bollheimer, Houston, Richard Bollheimer, Fort Loramie, Don and Barb Bollheimer, Minster, Vilma Bollheimer, Piqua, and Fran Bollheimer, Crown Point, Ind.; 21 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.

Deceased are a grandson; siblings, Leslie "Bud" Simon, Velma Monnin, Bertha "Sis" Monnin, Mildred "Toots" Boesch, and Sylvia Monnier; in-laws, Ed Monnin, Wilfred Monnin, Albert Borchers, Floyd Monnier, Homer Bollheimer, Eileen Thomas, Robert Bollheimer, Alfred and Millie Bollheimer, Kenny Bollheimer and Betty Bollheimer.

A member of St. Remy Catholic church, he and his wife were owners of the former "Shep's Place" in Russia from 1945 until 1976. The couple opened "Shep's Golden Lantern in 1974 and it closed in 1999. They were awarded best restauranteurs of the year in the Miami Valley in 1984.

He was a former Loramie Township trustee and was Shelby County Commissioner for two terms. He served as a Russia Community Fire Company volunteer for 25 years and was a longtime member of Russia Knights of Columbus.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church, the Revs. Frank Amberger and Robert Monnin officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Thursday and 9-10 a.m. Friday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Russia.

Memorials may be made to Russia Fire Department.

Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com.