Joseph J. Nieport, 97, St. Henry, died Dec. 4, 2013, at The Gardens at St. Henry.

He was born June 26, 1916, in St. Henry, to Henry B. and Mary Borgerding Nieport. He married Gertrude B. Weitzel on May 30, 1942, and she died Nov. 14, 1999.

He is survived by eight children, Herb (Ginny) Nieport, Ansonia, Dave (Edna) Nieport, Dayton, Leroy (Rita) Nieport, Kettering, Stanley Nieport, Beavercreek, Michael (Debbie) Nieport, Dayton, Mary (Norman) Zahn, Coldwater, Melvin (Linda) Nieport, St. Henry, and Brenda (Roger) Speck, Wendelin; a daughter-in-law, Ruth Nieport, St. Henry; 35 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; a sister, Bernadette Lochtefeld, St. Henry; and in-laws, Delores Nieport, St. Henry, Ben Lefeld, St. Henry, and Ben Holthaus, McCartyville.

He was preceded in death by a son, Terry Nieport; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; siblings, Rose (Ed) Zumberge, Tony Nieport and Alberta (Albert) Weitzel; in-laws, Roman Lochtefeld, Clarence Weitzel, Ray (Ann) Weitzel, Martha (Henry) Hemmelgarn, Ann (Walter) Ross, Julietta (John) Reichert, Rita (Alvin) Hartke, Agnes Lefeld, Mary Holthaus, Albert Langenkamp and Lee Reichert.

He was a member of St. Henry Catholic Church, the Men's Society, St. Henry Knights of Columbus, NFO, Farm Bureau and N.A.I.M of the North. He was a farmer and operated Nieport Custom Farm Service. He was passionate about farming, was humble and charitable to others, and was strong in his love of faith and his family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Henry Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Henry Cemetery.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Friday and 8:30-9:30 a.m. Saturday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, St. Henry.

Memorials may be made to The Gardens at St. Henry Activity Fund, State of the Heart Hospice, the Center for Neurological Development or the Elizabeth New Life Center.

Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com.