Denis R. Rethman, age 72, of Maria Stein, died Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at the James Cancer Center, Columbus.

He was born March 9, 1944 in North Star, Ohio to the late Lawrence & Fredona (Bulcher) Rethman. On August 6, 1966, in Osgood, he married Gladys L. (Knapke), who survives in Maria Stein.

He is also survived by four children, Mike & Maria Rethman of Maria Stein, John & Heather Rethman of Celina, Joe & Hope Rethman of Maria Stein, and Kelly & Josh Cline of Columbus; ten grandchildren, Brandi, Dustin, Natalie, Heidi, Dane, Mitch, Matt, Molly, Marcus, and Kurt. He is also survived by five siblings, Jack & Alberta Rethman of North Star, Wanda Homan of North Star, Connie Meyer of Sidney, Sharon Mayo of Dayton, and Deb & Mike Tobe of Tipp City, also in-laws Ivo & Henrietta Knapke of Versailles, Janice & Charles Schwieterman of Celina, and Tom & Mary Ann Poeppelman of St. Henry.

He was preceded in death by in-laws Clem Homan, Gene Mayo, Jerry Meyer, and Dolores Poeppelman.

He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Maria Stein, and its Men's Sodality. Denis was the founder and former owner of Rethman Bros. Inc. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve, was a former member of the Mercer County Elks, and was an avid golfer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at St. John the Baptist Church, Maria Stein, with Rev. Gene Schnipke and Rev. Ken Schroeder, co-officiating. Burial will follow at St. John Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday and from 9:00 to 10:00 AM on Saturday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, St. Henry. Condolences can be left at Hogenkampfh.com.