Maurice M. Schmiesing, 81, 00973 Minster-Fort Recovery Road, Minster, died at 12:05 p.m. March 27, 2009, at Briarwood Manor Nursing Home, Coldwater.

He was born Jan. 1, 1928, in Egypt, to Anthony and Mathilda Hoying Schmiesing. On Jan. 31, 1951, he married Jeanette Bertke, who survives.

Also surviving are four children, Judith (Fred) Godwin, Troy, Daniel (Linda) Schmiesing, Fort Loramie, Roland (Rose) Schmiesing, Minster, and Mary Jo (Tom) Gabel, Minster; a daughter-in-law, Cindy Medley, Findlay; two brothers, Elmer (Dorothy) Schmiesing, Celina, and Donald (Joan) Schmiesing, New Bremen; a sister, Viona (Virgil) Wermert, Coldwater; two sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Schmiesing, St. Henry, and Yolanda Schmiesing, New Bremen; 17 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Deceased are two sons, Nicholas and David Schmiesing; two brothers, Walter and Gregory Schmiesing; and a sister and her husband, Georgianna and Ed Wendeln.

He was a retired farmer and had also retired from Progress Tool and Post Printing, both of Minster. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Egypt, where he served as co-sacristan and bereavement minister, and was a member of the Men's Sodality. He also was a member of the Knights of St. John, Maria Stein, the Egypt Community Club and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Minster.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Minster, the Rev. Rick Nieberding officiating. Burial is at St. Joseph Cemetery, Egypt.

Calling is 1-7 p.m. Sunday and 9-10 a.m. Monday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Minster.