Paul J. Niekamp, 86, New Bremen, died at 6:20 p.m. March 3, 2014, at Elmwood Assisted Living of New Bremen.

He was born May 12, 1927, in St. Sebastian, to Bernard and Mathilda Schmitmeyer Niekamp. On July 27, 1949, he married his beloved "Ruthie" Gerlach at Carthagena, and she died Dec. 20, 2013.

Survivors include his children, Diane (David) Wagner, Celina, Marilyn (Jerry) Nerderman, Linda (Alan) Kelley, Tim (Jeanne) Niekamp and Randy (Jenny) Niekamp, all of New Bremen; a daughter-in-law, Kathy Niekamp, Huber Heights; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; siblings, Clete (Hilda) Niekamp, New Bremen, Dorothy Schmitt, St. Henry, and Edna (Roger) Lochtefeld, Fort Recovery; and sisters-in-law, Luella (Melvin) Rindler and Dorothy Niekamp, Montezuma.

Preceding him in death were a son, Roger Niekamp; siblings, Mark Niekamp, Tom Niekamp and Rose Kramer; one granddaughter; and brothers-in-law, Ralph Schmitt and Othmar Kramer.

He was a member of the Church of the Holy Redeemer in New Bremen where he had served as an usher for many years and also had served on the parish council. He served in the U.S. Army as a company cook and was stationed in Japan following World War II. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9019 of Chickasaw and the American Legion Post 241 of New Bremen.

He enjoyed sports, especially the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals. He was an avid fisherman and a horseshoe pitching "Champion." He was a regular in the daily Town Tavern euchre card games. He farmed his entire life and also retired from Gagel's Hardware of Maria Stein in 1990, where he was involved with the plumbing department. His family was special to him, and he always made time for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was always a great uncle to all his "favorite" nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Church of the Holy Redeemer in New Bremen, the Rev. Thomas Mannebach officiating. Burial will follow in the German Protestant Cemetery, New Bremen.

Calling is 2-7 p.m. Thursday at the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home, New Bremen, and on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the services at the church.

Memorial contributions may be directed to State of the Heart Hospice.

Condolences to the family may be left at gilberghartwigfh.com.

And in Paul's parting words, "and just remember, if you can't be good ... be careful."