Werner Henry Schmiesing, Jr., age 75, of Minster, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at 10:55 pm at his home. Werner was born on October 5, 1943 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was the son of the late Dr. Werner F. Schmiesing (1912-1978 age 66) and Ilse (Kuehr) Schmiesing (1921-1967 age 46).

During middle school, he attended Culver Military Academy College Preparatory School in Indiana and Saint Leo College Preparatory School in Florida. On October 16, 1964, he married Bonnie (Larger) Schmiesing at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Minster. Bonnie resides in Minster.

He was a wonderful father and is survived by his four children and their spouses: Dawn and Dave Conrad of Minster, Drs. Tyra and Tim Meyer of Wapakoneta, Rogell and Caray Schmiesing of Minster and Chanda and Mike Echols of Wapakoneta. His surviving 14 grandchildren are: Brendon & (Melissa) Conrad, Marissa Conrad; Tristan, Jori, Taryn & Preston Meyer; Bryce, Isaac, Mara, Connor & Kali Schmiesing; Mackenzie, Taylor & Riley Echols.

Werner thoroughly enjoyed watching the countless number of sporting events his talented grandchildren participated in such as: track & field events, football, softball, baseball, basketball, volleyball, soccer and dance.

Siblings of Werner are his three surviving sisters: Linda (Phil) Lones of Florida, Judy (Ed) Hogan of California and Susan Schmiesing & Kyle Farrar of Quaker City, Ohio.

Werner was preceded in death by his brother, Roger, who died in 1969 during a tragic car-train accident at the young age of 20. He was also preceded in death by his mother and father-in-law Ralph & Wilma Larger; brother-in-law Dale Larger; Goddaughter Amanda (Weigandt) Wells & great-niece Abigail Juliana (AJ) Wells. Surviving in-laws are Richard & Juliana Weigandt, Larry & Anne Larger & Mark & Barbara Thieman. He has 16 nieces and nephews along with 32 great-nieces and nephews.

Over the years, Werner's children and grandchildren enjoyed watching his talent as a taxidermist mounting animals. He enjoyed hunting in almost all of the 50 states as well as his once in a lifetime trip to Africa. Werner taught his son, Rogell, and his grandson, Brendon, the skill of mastering taxidermy.

Werner was known for his attention to detail and his unmatched expertise in the taxidermy world since he began the art in 1957. Many will remember how he used to have live alligators as pets. In his spare time, he enjoyed spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing, searching for arrowheads, coin collecting and enjoyed collecting wooden duck decoys hand-carved by his best man and best friend, Jim Oldiges.

For relaxation, he was an avid reader of hunting books and magazines. He took care of the maintenance and mowing the Larger Family Cabin's lawn so it always looked pristine. Werner also loved spending time outdoors with his grandchildren.

Werner was a life member of Safari Club International and started the Lionheart Chapter for Southwest Ohio. In 2006, he was the recipient of the Educator of the Year Award for Safari Club awarded in Las Vegas and a life member of the National Rifle Association & North American Hunting Association. He was also a member and very active in Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Sportsmen Against Hunger, the Lake Loramie Improvement Association, the American Legion Post 0387, Ohio Archeological Society, the Arbor Day Foundation and on the board of the New Bremen Rod and Gun Club for many years.

He spent countless hours volunteering at the Lake Loramie Heritage Museum, setting up numerous Sensory Safaris (sharing a variety of tanned animal hides for blind adults and children), sharing his mounted animals and hides with his children and grandchildren's elementary classrooms, enjoyed displaying his arrowhead and relics collection during the annual exhibit at the Riley House held in Celina and for the Fort Loramie Historical Museum in the Wilderness Trail Museum.

For many years, Werner partnered with the Division of Wildlife and Sportsmen Against Hunger to donate and persuade other hunters to donate countless pounds of venison to Agape Ministry. He also aided in getting a Safari Care Bag which donated medical supplies to Namibia, Africa. As a hunter education instructor, he shared his expertise of gun safety and volunteered at The Ohio State Fair for years to help the Division of Wildlife with their booth. His adventurous attitude along with his kind, caring, happy and calm demeanor made him a wonderful man to know and spend time with.

Werner enlisted in the United States Navy following graduation from Minster High School in 1961. He proudly served his country from 1961-1967 while aboard the Navy destroyers USS Remey DD-688 and the USS DD-857 naval ships.

During his busy career, Werner worked as an engineer for I.E. Industries and Midmark Corporation in Minster. His entrepreneurship then led him to become the previous co-owner of Fabcor and Tigerline, Inc. He co-founded the businesses with the late Bob Hoying. Later, Werner launched his own successful business as owner and operator of Autocraft Manufacturing & Machine in Minster where he designed and built foundry molten metal ladle bowls and was a sheet metal fabricator until December of 2018.
  Werner was first diagnosed with prostate cancer in the fall of 2003. Then following prostate removal surgery, 35 rounds of radiation and after years in remission, his cancer regrettably returned.

Many years later, he received the devastating news that the cancer had metastasized to his bones and then endured rounds of radiation and chemotherapy.

During 2018, he courageously battled several setbacks dealing with MRSA, septic shock, a 13-hour back surgery to stabilize his spinal column, pneumonia and many months of physical therapy. During all these trials and tribulations, Werner persevered and maintained a positive attitude throughout all of his challenges and never wanted to give up. His strength and will to live was truly amazing!

The family wishes to extend their appreciation to all of the kind doctors and nurses at the OSU Wexner Medical Center (Dr. Clinton), Dr. Roode at Mercer Health and his staff, Otterbein (St. Marys) nurses, therapists and staff, Grand Lake Home Health nurses for their love, care, support and attention given to Werner in helping him maintain his quality of life during his series of life changing events over the last year.

Throughout all of his treatments, he always managed to thank each caregiver by name for taking such great care of him no matter how bad he was feeling. The family wishes to recognize the never-ending unconditional loving care given by his caregivers: wife, Bonnie, daughters Dawn, Tyra & Chanda, his son Rogell and his granddaughter Marissa.

Friends are invited to join the family in celebrating his life by visiting the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in Minster from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2019 and from 9:00 am to 9:30 am, Friday, January 11, 2019.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 am Friday, January 11, 2019, at the St. Augustine Catholic Church in Minster with Father Frankline Rayappa as celebrant. Full graveside military honors will be performed by the Minster Honor Guard at the St. Augustine Cemetery in Minster.

In lieu of flowers, monetary donations will be used to begin a scholarship in his name. Please make donation checks payable to Bonnie Schmiesing. Condolences for the family may be expressed at www.hogenkampfh.com.