Clarence Eugene Lesher age 91 of New Bremen, OH., died on Sunday, July 10, 2016 at 11:35 A.M. at the Otterbein Retirement Community of St. Marys.

He was born on January 10, 1925 in Toledo, OH. He was the son of Franklin and Mary (Kuhn) Lesher. On January 25, 1948 he married Dorothy Neuman who died on July 31, 2014.

Survivors include his children Linda and Mark Forry of Hamilton, Oh., Joe and Teri Lesher and Barbara and Bruce Lemmon, all of New Bremen, grandchildren Levi and Brittany Lesher, Jacob Lesher, Adam Lesher, Dan Forry, Andrew and Stacey Forry, Zach Forry and Shannon Forry and his great grandchildren Colin Lesher, Elliott Lesher, Landon Lesher, Weston Lesher, Nolan Forry and Raelan Forry.

Preceding him in death were his parents, wife, his brothers Donald and Richard Lesher and his sisters Eileen Cole and Beverly Christiansen.

Mr. Lesher was a member of the St. Peter's Church of New Bremen. He was very active and had held all the offices within the church. He was a Charter Member and first President of the New Bremen Emergency Squad. He was on the German Protestant Cemetery Board, the German Twp. Zoning Board and belonged to the American Legion Post 241 of New Bremen, the New Bremen Historic Association, the Auglaize County Farm Bureau and the Traveling Wheels Camping Club.

"Gene" served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946 where he was an Aviation Machinist Mate but also was a tail gunner/radio operator onboard a TBM Avenger Torpedo Bomber.

He was a machinist at the Minster Machine Co. for 40 years and belonged to the Minster Machine Co. 25 Year Club. He also was engaged in farming his entire life.

Following retirement, he became a volunteer at JTDM Hospital and clocked 2400 volunteer hours. He enjoyed playing cards and fishing and telling the stories that went along with each outing.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. at the St. Peter's Church in New Bremen with Rev. Ed Rinehart officiating. Burial will follow in the German Protestant Cemetery, New Bremen.

The family will receive friends from 4 until 7 P.M. on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen and on Wednesday one hour prior to the services at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to either the church memorial fund or to the New Bremen Emergency Squad.

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