LaVern A. Menker, 81, St. Marys, and formerly of Springfield, died at 3:20 a.m. Sept. 15, 2014, at Elmwood Assisted Living Center, New Bremen.

He was born June 7, 1933, in Maria Stein, to Alvin and Anna Heitbrink Menker. On Sept. 17, 1955, in St. Marys, he married Jane Tumbush, who died Sept. 27, 2001.

Surviving are four children, Debra (Doug) Hunter, Sidney, Thomas (Beni) Menker, St. Marys, Scott (Beth) Menker, Mason, and Steve (Renee) Menker, Harrison Township, Mich.; 12 grandchildren, Mikey Gall, Sophia Menker, Ashley Menker, Anna Menker, Ben Menker, Marie (Josh) Valentine, Brian Hunter, Susan (Ryan) Shaffer, Ashley (Aaron) Seewer, Zach (Michaela) Menker, Cory Menker and Tyler Menker; seven great-grandchildren; three siblings, Alfrieda Backs, St. Marys, Marilyn (Don) Schmitmeyer, Minster, and Gene (Nan) Menker, Allen, Texas; and a sister-in-law, Elaine Tumbush, Celina.

Also deceased are a brother, Norman Menker; a sister, Virginia Schneider; three brothers-in-law, Don Backs, Les Schneider and Bob Tumbush; and a sister-in-law, Rosemary Menker.

He was a 1952 graduate of St. Marys Memorial High School and a veteran of the United States Army, having served during the Korean War. He was the retired general manager and vice president of Miller's Textile Services, Springfield.

He was an active member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, St. Marys, where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a Past Grand Knight, having served in 1964. He also had been a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church, Springfield, where he served on the parish council for many years.

He was the past president of the Ohio Association of Textile Services, a member of the St. Marys Zoning Board, a HOST mentor at St. Marys Intermediate School, a youth baseball coach in Springfield and St. Marys, a board member of St. Marys Little League and the Friends of Holy Rosary School, and a member of the St. Marys Roughrider Football Line Painting Crew.

Funeral Mass is 11 a.m. Friday at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, St. Marys, the Rev. Barry Stechschulte officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery, St. Marys.

Calling is 3-8 p.m. Thursday at Miller-Long and Folk Funeral Home, High Street chapel, St. Marys.

Memorials may be given to the Friends of Holy Rosary School or the church building fund.

Condolences may be left at www.millerfuneralhomes.net.