Lester "Junior" W. Cleland, 85, of New Riegel, passed away Wednesday morning, March 13, 2013 in the Emergency Room at Blanchard Valley Hospital, Findlay.

He was born on October 10, 1927, in New Riegel to Elester and Gladys (Hastings) Cleland. On May 19, 1951, he married Velma Stone in Bascom and she survives.

Also surviving are three children, Carol E. Cleland of Fostoria, Daniel A. (Carolyn Pennington) Cleland of McCutchenville and Cynthia A. (Gregory) Hughes of Alvada; 8 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren and two expected in May.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Douglas L. Cleland in 1989; sister, Lavina Brown; infant brother; and a great granddaughter, Kory Elizabeth Sherwood in 2012.

He was born and raised in the same home he raised his family and enjoyed retirement in. Being raised by his father and nanny, Christina Fry, after the passing of his mother and brother at childbirth. A lifetime farmer who raised chickens and sold eggs for 35 years while also working at General Electric, where he met his wife. He later retired as a security guard at American Standard and Hayes Albion.

Lester graduated from Hopewell-Loudon in 1946 and served in the United States Army; having been deployed to Japan. He was a lifetime member of Union United Church of Christ, Bascom and a member of Loyal Order of the Moose #846, V.F.W. Post #2858 and the American Legion Post #354 in New Riegel.

Lester never met a person he would not strike up a conversation with by asking "where are your from?" He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and enjoyed following his grandchildren in their activities. He was still talking about farming the day before his passing; always making sure things were in order.

A funeral service will be at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at Union United Church of Christ in Bascom, with Pastor Tress Hodkinson officiating. Burial will follow in Sandridge Cemetery with military honors being conducted by the United Veterans Council.

Friends may visit with the family from 4-8:00 P.M. on Friday, March 15, 2013 at Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home & Crematory, 236 S. Washington St., Tiffin, Ohio 44883, (419) 447-2424 and from 9:30-10:30 A.M. on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Union United Church of Christ, Bascom or to the New Riegel or Bascom EMS.

Letters of condolence may be sent and the guestbook signed at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com.