Elmer J. Rethman, age 80, Fort Loramie, passed away of natural causes Wednesday morning, August 26, 2015, at Wilson Memorial Hospital in Sidney, Ohio.

He was born February 18, 1935, in Versailles, Ohio, to the late Joseph and Pauline (Homan) Rethman. On June 23, 1956, at the former St. Patrick Catholic Church in St. Patrick, Elmer married Marlene M. (Pleiman) Rethman who survives.

Also surviving are four children: Mike "Delmer" Rethman of Fort Loramie, Tom & Linda Rethman of Versailles, Steve & Jacqui Rethman of Fort Loramie, and Kathy & Mark Barhorst of Fort Loramie; twelve grandchildren; Wesley (Casey), Kacie, Kayla (fiance Ryan Smeltzer), Morgan, Ryan (Lindsay), Brandon, Chelsey, and Chad (Danielle) Rethman, Brittany (Chad) Siegrist, Brooke (Lance) Wilson, Jack (Trishanda) and Keith (Essence) Barhorst; twelve great-grandchildren; three siblings: Ralph and Mark Rethman of Versailles, and Mary & Paul Albers of Osgood; sisters & brothers-in-law: Jeanette Barhorst, Betty Luedeke, Phyllis & Louis Hilgefort, all of Fort Loramie, Karen & Ralph Gaier of St. Marys, and Julia Pleiman of Fort Loramie.

He was preceded in death by one daughter-in-law, Nancy Rethman; one brother, Walter Rethman; sisters & brothers-in-law: Esther and Marleise Rethman, Alphonso Barhorst, Clifford Luedeke and Carl Pleiman.

Mr. Rethman was retired from Minster Automotive where he was store manager and had been employed 37 years. He was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church, the Fort Loramie Racing Club, and the Fort Loramie Fire Department. Elmer enjoyed watching NASCAR racing.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, August 29, 2015, at St. Michael Church in Fort Loramie with Rev. Steven Shoup presiding. Interment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery.

Friends may call Friday 3:00 to 8:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 to 10:00 AM at Gehret Funeral Home, 64 Elm St., Fort Loramie.

Memorials may be made to the Fort Loramie Fire Department or Fort Loramie Rescue Squad.

Condolences may be expressed at www.gehretfuneralhome.com.