Roger Albert Schmitmeyer, age 78, Fort Loramie, passed away surrounded by his family, early Tuesday morning, January 26, 2016, at the Dorothy Love Retirement Community in Sidney, Ohio. He had been fighting a courageous battle against Alzheimer's for eight years.

He was born April 2, 1937, in Minster, Ohio, to the late Leander and Elsie (Enneking) Schmitmeyer. On October 12, 1960, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Fort Loramie, Roger married Mary Ann (Albers) Schmitmeyer who survives.

Also surviving are six children: Diane & Mark Riethman of Fort Loramie, Tom & Luann (Comer) Schmitmeyer of Jackson Center, Tony & Janine (DeLong) Schmitmeyer of Fort Loramie, Dennis & Laura (Boeke) Schmitmeyer of Fort Loramie, Julie & Ken Francis of Russia, Gary & Kelly (Bornhorst) Schmitmeyer of Anna, and fifteen grandchildren: Evan and Marissa Riethman, Morgan and Levi Schmitmeyer, Alyson, Taylor, and Julia Schmitmeyer, Rachel Schmitmeyer, Kayla, Lauren, Nolan and Carter Francis, Jodie, Mindy, and Ben Schmitmeyer; four siblings: Martha (Schlater) & Cy Thobe of Chickasaw, Sister Dorothy Schmitmeyer of Salem Heights, Donald & Marilyn Schmitmeyer of Minster, and Jerome Schmitmeyer of Minster; brothers & sisters-in-law: Cletus & Irene Albers of Ashland, Violet Albers of Minster, Jeanette Weaver of Minster, and Dr. Robert & Viola Albers of Coldwater.

He was preceded in death by brothers & sisters-in-law: Urban Schlater, Kathleen Schmitmeyer, Urban Albers, Robert Weaver, Rosemary & Norman Menker.

Mr. Schmitmeyer was a 1955 graduate of Minster High School. He served in the U.S. Army following the Korean War and had been stationed in Japan. In 1999, Roger retired from Crown Equipment where he was production manager.

Roger was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church and had been a greeter and past adult choir member. He was also a member of the Fort Loramie American Legion and Minster Fraternal Order of Eagles. He had been a past member of the St. Michael Knights of St. John and St. Augustine Knights of Columbus. Roger served on the St. Michael Hall board and the Fort Loramie Board of Public Affairs.

Over the years, Roger enjoyed a lot of fishing. He also valued spending time with his family and grandchildren. He especially enjoyed Sunday afternoon lunch visits.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, January 30, 2016, at St. Michael Church in Fort Loramie with Rev. Steven Shoup presiding. Interment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery.

Friends may call Friday 2:00 to 8:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 to 10:00 AM at Gehret Funeral Home in Fort Loramie.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association Miami Valley Chapter.

Condolences may be expressed at www.gehretfuneralhome.com.