Cletus J. Hemmelgarn, age 94, of Burkettsville, died on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at Briarwood Village, Coldwater.

He was born March 6, 1923 in Burkettsville, to the late Alex & Carrie (Huber) Hemmelgarn. On July 20, 1946 he married Florence (Grillot) Hemmelgarn, and she died December 7, 2016.

He is also survived by children: Barb & Pat Fullenkamp of Minster, Ron & Patty Hemmelgarn of Lima, Gary Hemmelgarn of Dayton, Ed Hemmelgarn of Greenville, Larry Hemmelgarn of Versailles, Michael & Ann Hemmelgarn of Carthagena, Alan & Rita Hemmelgarn of Burkettsville, Karen & Steve Balster of St. Sebastian, Ann & Tim Schwieterman of St. Sebastian, Mary & Joseph Cox of Painter Creek, and Joan & John Hartings of Lake Waynoka; 19 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, and one on the way, seven step great grandchildren, and two step great-great grandchildren. Cletus is survived by siblings: Paul Hemmelgarn of Dayton, Ruth Westgerdes of Ft. Recovery, and Mary & Paul Mestemaker of New Weston, and in laws Odessa Hemmelgarn of Dayton, Louis Schlater of North Star, and Lloyd Grillot of Mississippi.

He was preceded in death by a son, Bobby, a daughter in-law: Sandy Hemmelgarn, one deceased step-grandchild, siblings: Norman & Beverly Hemmelgarn, Cyril Hemmelgarn, Donna Hemmelgarn, Irene Schlater, and in-laws: Andrew Westgerdes, Vivian Grillot, Ethel & Francis Treon, Vitalis & Delores Grillot, Velma & Paul Billiter, Agnes & Fred Monnin, Margaret & Albert Baker, Lucille & Wilmer Barton, Catherine & Roger Bashore.

He was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church, Burkettsville, and the Holy Name Society. Cletus served in the US Navy during World War II from 1944-1946 as a Coxswain. He was a lifelong farmer and also the manager of Kaiser Chemical in Burkettsville. He enjoyed playing cards, fishing, golfing, riding on his scooter, and visiting with family and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, January 15, 2018 at St. Bernard Catholic Church, Burkettsville. Burial with military rites will follow in St. Bernard Cemetery, Burkettsville.

Friends may call on Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 PM and Monday from 9:00 to 10:00 AM at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in St. Henry.

Memorial contributions may be made to State of the Heart Care.

Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com.