Neil Evan Stemley, age 78, St. Henry, Ohio, died June 26, 2017, at Mercer Health, Coldwater, Ohio.

He was born Dec. 7, 1938, in Greenville to the late Charles and Lillian (Smith) Stemley. On Jan. 20, 1962, he married Judith (Hoying) Stemley, who survives in St. Henry.

He is also survived by children Scott (Michelle) Stemley, Aledo, TX; Christy (Mike) Prakel, Versailles; Brian (Adrianne) Stemley, Chicago, Ill; Jill (Marc) McQuaid, Dublin, OH; 15 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Merilda Hoying, St. Henry; in-laws Eileen Stemley, Sparta, NJ; Carl and Bernice Hoying, Belle Center; Millie and Marv Stammen, Greenville; Vern and Sue Hoying, St. Henry; Nancy and Jerry Hemmelgarn, Celina; Karen and Charlie Gels, St. Henry; Mary Jane and John Post, Homosassa, FL; Bonnie and Jack Knapschaefer, Coldwater; Alice and Dave Homan, Coldwater; Mike Kanney, Celina; Dan and Brenda Hoying, St. Henry; Lorraine and Kent Paxson, Minster; Susan Hoying, Centerville; and Gary and Annette Hoying, Coldwater.

He was preceded in death by his father-in-law Herman Hoying, St. Henry; brother Gary Stemley, Sparta, NJ; and sister-in-law Linda Kanney, Celina.

Neil was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church, Burkettsville, where he was a 60-year member of the choir, lector, past parish council member, past Grand Knight of the St. Henry Knights of Columbus Council 2640.

He was a member of the Western Ohio Educational Foundation Board of Trustees, Mercer County Elks 2170, past president of the Mid-America Food Processors Association, past president of the Ansonia School Board, and previously served in the Army National Guard.

Neil was the 3rd generation owner and operator of Stemley Canning Company, New Weston, Ohio. After retiring, he enjoyed managing Speedy Parking, attending his grandchildren's activities, gardening and traveling

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Friday, June 30, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, Burkettsville, OH, with Rev. Ron Wilker and Rev. Tom Hemm con-celebrants. Burial will follow in St. Bernard Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2 pm-8 pm Thursday and 9 am-10 am Friday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, St. Henry.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Euro-Peds Foundation or the Darke County Foundation.