Leon F. Hemmert, 68, of Botkins, died 11:39 p.m., Tues. Jan. 9, 2024, at the Lima Memorial Health System, following a sudden illness.

He was born Dec. 3, 1955, in Lima, OH, the son of Louis & Viola (Wesbecher) Hemmert, who preceded him in death. On March 24, 1979, he married Rita J. Bruns, who survives in Botkins.

Other survivors include, 2 children,   Katherine (Philip) Hoying, Botkins; Alex Hemmert, Dallas, TX; 4 grandchildren, Ellie, Callen, Vance, & Deacon Hoying; 4 brothers, Dave (Diane) Hemmert, Botkins; Al (Cathy) Hemmert, Bloomfield Hills, MI; Steve (Eileen) Hemmert, Botkins; Mark (Beth) Hemmert, Botkins; brother-in-law, Rick Kohnen, Centerville, OH; 3 sisters-in-law, Jan (Jim) Slankard, Sandy Valley, NV; Ruth Bruns, Dayton, OH; Vicki (Bob) Leimbach, Vermillion, OH; 2 brothers-in-law, Mike (Mary-dec) Bruns, Minster, OH; Paul (Beck) Bruns, Maria Stein, OH; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Carol Kohnen; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clarence & Margaret Bruns, and a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Lucy (Duane) Barga.

A lifelong farmer, Leon was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church, Botkins. He was a 1974 graduate of Botkins High School and loved spending time with his family, farming, and watching sports.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Tues. Jan. 16, 2024, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Botkins, OH, Fr. Michael Willig officiating. Burial will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Botkins, OH.

The family will receive friends from 3-7 p.m., Mon. Jan. 15, and 9-9:45 a.m., Tues. Jan. 16, at the Eley Funeral Home & Crematory, St. Rt. 501, Wapakoneta.

Memorials may be directed to the Botkins Education Foundation.

Condolences may be expressed at www.eleyfuneralhomeandcreamtory.com.