Gerald A. Hoyng, age 88 of Celina passed away on Monday, June 29, 2020, at the Mercer County Community Hospital.

He was born on April 20, 1932 in Coldwater, Ohio to the late Urban and Cleopha (Stelzer) Hoyng. On April 25, 1953 he married the love of his life, Romaine (Mainie) Wannemacher, who died May 10, 2009.

Gerald is survived by four sons: Dennis & Janet Hoyng of Celina, Richard & Victoria Hoyng of Coldwater, Gary & Angela Hoyng and Michael & Teresa Hoyng of Celina and three daughters: Diane & Michael Hyland, Cheryl & Douglas Gerlach, and Julie & Jerald Moeder, all of Celina. He is also survived by twenty-five grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren and sisters-in-law: Dorothy Hoyng of Celina and Judy Scheltz of New Concord.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, daughter-in-law, Karrie Hoyng, brothers: Ralph and Ruth Hoyng, Ronald Hoyng, and Louis Hoyng and sisters: Marita and Lawrence Uhlenhake, Mary Lou Hoyng, and Germaine and John Mara.

He graduated from Coldwater High School with the Class of 1950. He was employed at New Idea before he was drafted into the Army during the Korean War in December of 1952 and was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas where he served our county for two years.

He returned to New Idea for a short time and then was employed at Rainbow Drive-In in Celina. He worked at Pax Products before beginning his career as a manager at Tuway Products in 1960 where he retired as vice president in 1996.

As the saying goes, "it's hard to keep a good man down" which aptly defined Jerry, who at the age of 72 stayed active by working part time at the Shell Gas Station locations in Celina and St. Marys. He was an avid golfer, bowler and played tennis for many years. He knew how to have a good time and enjoyed his family immensely. He was a gentle and kind man with a ready smile and will be sorely missed.

He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Celina, a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1800, Celina American Legion #210 and Mercer County Elks Golf Club for many years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2020, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Celina, with Fr. Tim McFarland C.PP.S. officiating. Friends are invited to view the Mass of Christian Burial live on the Immaculate Conception website, celina-ic.org. Burial will follow in the St. Marys Catholic Cemetery in Celina, with Military Honors provided by the Celina American Legion Post #210 at the graveside.

Friends may call from 3-7 p.m. on Friday, July 3, 2020 and from 8:30-9:30 a.m. on Saturday, at the Lehman-Dzendzel Funeral Home in Celina. Attendees are asked to follow social distancing and guidelines dictated by the Ohio Department of Health, due to the National Health Concerns of COVID-19. Masks are suggested but not required by attendees at the Mass on Saturday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the I. C. Endowment Fund.

Condolences for the family may be shared at LehmanDzendzelFH.com.