Leonard Joseph Hemmelgarn, 98, was born on October 16, 1920, in Burkettsville, OH to the late Joseph T. and Mary (Backs) Hemmelgarn. He died on December 9, 2018 at the State of the Heart Care Hospice Center at Wayne Hospital in Greenville, OH. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Berdella (Rose) Hemmelgarn.

He is also survived by 10 children: Phyllis (Mark) Franck, Tipp City; Betty Hemmelgarn, Kettering; Jim (Paulette) Hemmelgarn, Worthington; Linda Hemmelgarn, Grove City; Joanne (Bill) Niekamp, St. Henry; Mary (Don) Mrowzinski, Hilliard; Carol (Steve) Hines, Hilliard; Joe (Carole) Hemmelgarn, Highlands Ranch, CO; Bill (Sue) Hemmelgarn, St. Henry; Rick Hemmelgarn, Tipp City. He was the proud Grandfather of 24 grandchildren, and 25 great grandchildren; he was preceded in death by a grandchild, Alyssa Hemmelgarn and a great grandchild, Ashley Bohman. He is survived by one brother and two sisters and their spouses: Ed (Mary Ann) Hemmelgarn, Brookville; Eileen (Harold) Heuker, St. Marys; and Anna Lee (Jack) Kunkel, Lebanon. He is also survived by in-laws: Juneta Rose, Centerville; Regina Hemmelgarn, Piqua; Lucy Rose, Celina; Joe (Donna) Rose, Coldwater; Irene Rose, St. Henry; Margie Rose, Coldwater, Rita (John) Schmitmeyer, Coldwater, and Dianne Hemmelgarn, North Star.

He is preceded in death by siblings and spouses: Adella (Jerome) Halpin; Bertilla (Paul) Ernst; Alma (Joe) Graves; Albert (Ruth) Hemmelgarn; Ivo (Doris) Hemmelgarn; and in-laws Ruth Kaiser Hemmelgarn, Ruth Stammen Hemmelgarn, and Charles Roessner. He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Alberta and Dorothy who died shortly after birth.

Leonard was a member of St. Henry Catholic Church. He served as a Seaman First Class in the United States Navy during WWII on the destroyer USS Maddox. He was a member of the Ft. Recovery American Legion.

Leonard worked as a herdsman for the Precious Blood St. Mary's Novitiate in Burkettsville for nearly 20 years and worked for many years at Stachler Construction. Leonard was also a life long farmer.

He was an avid card player and enjoyed ball room dancing and traveling with his wife, Berdella. Leonard was a cherished and much loved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was a friend to many and always willing to lend a helping hand.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Friday, December 14, 2018 at St. Henry Catholic Church. Burial with Military rites will follow in St. Bernard Cemetery Burkettsville.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 pm Thursday and 9 to 10 am Friday at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in St. Henry.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the State of the Heart Care Hospice, The Center for Neurological Development or another charity of your choice.