Ernest J. Poeppelman, age 86, of Yorkshire, Ohio, passed away of natural causes at his residence early Tuesday morning, September 22, 2020.

He was born August 10, 1934, in Yorkshire, Ohio, to the late Aloys & Helen (Gaier) Poeppelman. On October 5, 1960, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Osgood, Ernie married Virginia "Ginny" (Kramer) Poeppelman who survives.

Also surviving are eight children: Ronald Poeppelman of Yorkshire, Shirley & Gabriel Dirksen of Maria Stein, Joyce & Paul Moeller of Burkettsville, Daniel & Kelly Poeppelman of Celina, Carol & Kenneth Schlarman of Chickasaw, Lynn & Roger Ungruhn of Maria Stein, Sharon & Corey Paul of New Bremen and Brenda & Chad Wray of Fort Loramie; 31 grandchildren: Nick & Nicole Dirksen, Kate & Tyler Speelman, Jacob & Lindsay Dirksen, Becky & Adam Miller, Mitchell & Malorie Dirksen, Bradley and Annie Dirksen, Jason Moeller, Heather & Curtis Harlow, Zachary & Emily Moeller, Cara Moeller, Devin, Haley and Kayla Heitkamp, Abby & Mark Moeller, Kiley, Chad, Eric and Lucas Schlarman, Mackenzie Ungruhn, Alex & Bethany Ungruhn, Carly, Tanner and Natalie Ungruhn, Shelby, Koby and Sydney Paul, Hailey, Charles, Devin and Ashton Wray along with 23 great-grandchildren; six siblings: Ruth Brown of Wapakoneta, Elsie & Elmer Homan of Chickasaw, Janice & Don Marchal of Versailles, James & Kay Poeppelman of Versailles, Joseph & Margie Poeppelman of Dayton and Mary & Gary Dean of Jacksonville, IL; sisters & brothers-in-law: Esther Marchal of Minster, Verene Kramer of Osgood, LeRoy & Doris Kramer of Fort Loramie and Richard & Doris A. Kramer of Fort Loramie as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one sister & brother-in-law, Arlene & Henry Fortkamp and brothers & sisters-in law: Paul Brown, infant Leona Kramer, Urban & Mary E. Kramer, infant Alvin Kramer, Alferd & Mary A. Kramer, Paul & Alvira Marchal, Irma & Cletus Grilliot, John Fleck, Norman Marchal and Victor Kramer.

Mr. Poeppelman served in the U.S. Army during peacetime following the Korean War, and had been stationed in Japan for two years. He retired in 1999 from Sidney Tool & Die where he had been employed 34 years as a machinist.

He was a member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Farm Power of the Past, Buckeye Farm Antiques and the Poor Boys Tractor Pullers. He was also a Lake Loramie Fall Harvest volunteer and served on the Yorkshire Village Council for many years.

Ernie was a jack of all trades. He loved his family and polka dancing with Ginny, his wife of nearly 60 years. He also enjoyed collecting, restoring and showcasing vintage farm equipment, especially Cockshutt tractors.

Public Graveside Services will take place 10:30 AM, Friday, September 25, 2020, at St. Martin Cemetery in Osgood with Rev. David Howard presiding. Due to COVID-19, there will be no public visitation.

Memorials may be made to JDRF/Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, State of The Heart Hospice or Do Good Restaurant Ministries.

Private condolences may be expressed at www.gehretfuneralhome.com.