Merilda O. Hoying, age 96, of St. Henry, died Thursday, April 11, 2019, at The Gardens of St. Henry.

She was born Oct. 16, 1922, in Maria Stein, to the late Joseph and Catherine (Schmitt) Bergman.

She was a member of St. Henry Catholic Church, St. Henry Altar Rosary Sodality and the Knights of St. John Ladies Auxiliary, Maria Stein.

On Oct. 15, 1941, she married Herman H. Hoying.

She is survived by 13 children, Judy Stemley of St. Henry, Carl and Bernice Hoying of Belle Center, Millie and Marv Stammen of Greenville, Vern and Sue Hoying of St. Henry, Nancy and Jerry Hemmelgarn of Celina, Karen and Charlie Gels of St. Henry, Mary Jane and John Post of St. Henry, Bonnie and Jack Knapschaefer of Coldwater, Alice and Dave Homan of Coldwater, Mike Kanney of Celina, Dan and Brenda Hoying of St. Henry, Lorraine and Kent Paxson of Minster, Susan Hoying of Centerville and Gary and Annette Hoying of Coldwater, 40 grandchildren, 70 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren, and sisters-in-law, Neoma Hoying and Justine Wilker, both of Coldwater.

She was preceded in death by two daughters, Eileen Hoying and Linda Kanney, son-in-law, Neil Stemley, two grandchildren and siblings and in-laws, Wilfred and Julianne Bergman, Anna Rita and Joe Sanders, Linus and Rita Bergman, Salome and Art Pleiman, Alvina and Sebastian Evers, Mary and Vic Evers, Albert Wilker and George Hoying.

She was a great wife, mom, grandma, and friend, as well as a great role model who loved and supported her family her entire life.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Henry Church with Fr. Ron Wilker, officiating. Burial will follow in St. Henry Cemetery.

Friends may call from 1 to 6 p.m. on Sunday and from 9 to 10:00 am Monday at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in St. Henry.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to State of the Heart Hospice.

Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com.