Orville William Borchers Sr., age 97, Versailles, passed away of natural causes early Sunday morning, March 6, 2016, at the State of the Heart Hospice Care Center in Greenville, Ohio.

He was born October 3, 1918, at the home place near Newport, Ohio, to the late Frank and Emma (Boerger) Borchers. On April 14, 1945, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Newport, Orville married Marlene (Simon) Borchers who preceded him in death on March 5, 2010.

Surviving are thirteen children: Orville Borchers Jr. of Versailles, Janet "Jane" & Ronald Nufrio of Sidney, Julia Weaver of Centerville, Rebecca & Leslie Nason of Waterford, WI, Alan & Robin Borchers of Jackson Center, Joseph & Joan Borchers of Versailles, Frank Borchers of New Bremen, Mark & Therese Borchers of Versailles, Mary & Mark Heft of Versailles, Teresa & Charles Kohlhepp of Xenia, Christopher & Kimberly Borchers, Steven & Lillian Borchers, and Kathleen & Randy Schmitz, all of Versailles; forty-four grandchildren and forty-six great-grandchildren; three siblings: Alfred & Mildred Borchers of Minster, Cyril & Dorothy Borchers of Centerville, and Norma Reardon of Middletown; sisters & brothers-in-law: Pat Borchers of Versailles, Martha Borchers of Houston and Roman Meyer of Coldwater.

He was preceded in death by siblings: Urban & Elfrieda, Paul & Cecelia, James & Bettie Ann, Ken & Dorothy, and Richard Borchers, Frieda & Floyd Monnin, Hilda & Ben York, Mary Ann Meyer, and Betty & Robert Hibner; sisters & brothers-in-law: Marcella Borchers, Edward Reardon, Amelia & Carl Francis, Evelyn & Lester Littman and Harriet & Richard Frantz.

Mr. Borchers was a decorated US Army Veteran of WWII. As an infantryman, Orville fought in the hedgerows of France and the Battle of the Bulge. He had been awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star as well as the French Jubilee Medal of Freedom.

He retired from dairy farming in 1990. Orville was a lifetime member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. He was also a member of the Osgood American Legion Post #588, the St. Denis Knights of Columbus and St. Gasper Del Bufalo of 4th Degree Knights of Columbus where he served as Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator, respectively.

Over the years, Mr. Borchers served on numerous boards and commissions including the Miami Valley Milk Producers Association, the former South Patterson Grade School in Willowdell and the Versailles Exempted Village Schools.

Orville was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. He also enjoyed reading, singing hymns, and was known by his family to have an active prayer life.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, March 12, 2016, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Newport with Rev. Steven Shoup presiding. Interment will follow at the church cemetery with full military honors by the Osgood Legion.

Friends may call Friday 2:00 to 8:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 to 10:00 AM at Gehret Funeral Home in Fort Loramie.

Memorials may be made to St. Denis Knights of Columbus, Sts. Peter & Paul Church or charity of donor's choice.

Condolences may be expressed at www.gehretfuneralhome.com.