Ohio City; Gerald J. "Jerry" Hirn, 77, of Ohio City and formerly of Spencerville, died at 7:11 AM Wednesday, August 22, 2018 in the Lima Memorial Health System following a 10 year illness.

He was born March 14, 1941 in Monticello, Van Wert County, a son of the late Clarence Robert and Mary Ellen Vielkind Hirn, Sr. On June 30, 1962 he married Carol J. Auer, who survives in Ohio City.

Also surviving are his siblings; Joseph (Toyoko) Hirn of Cincinnati; Thomas (Betty) Hirn of Lima; James (Sandy) Hirn and Maureen (Greg) Welles, both of Spencerville and sisters-in-law; Marie Hirn of Delphos and Donna Cosart of Bluffton; his in-laws; Dianna (Norman)) Mullenhour of Cave City, KY.; Shirley (Buck) Hall of Celina; Patricia (Harley) Duncan of Van Wert; Richard (Rebecca) Auer of Delphos; Mitzi (David) Huffine of Van Wert; Delmer Kohorst of Florida and Karen Auer of Spencerville.

Preceding him in death are his siblings; C. Robert Hirn, Jr.; infant Charles Hirn; Rosemary Welles; Michael Hirn and Ted Hirn; in-laws Gary Auer and Sue Kohorst.

Jerry was a 1959 graduate of Spencerville High School and went on to serve in the U.S. Marines in the Vietnam War, where he received the Purple Heart for his battle injuries.

He had worked at the former Ohio Decorative Products in Spencerville, the Kennedy-Kuhn John Deere Company in Van Wert and retired in maintenence with the Village of Ohio City.

He was a member of the Bowersock Bros. VFW Post 6772 in Spencerville. He owned his 1960 Corvette for 50 years and enjoyed anything on wheels.

Funeral services will be at 3:30 PM Friday in the Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville with Pastor Paul Hamrick officiating. Military rites by the Spencerville Veterans and the Marine Honor Guard will follow the services Burial will be at a later date in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery at Ohio City.

The family will receive friends Friday from 2 PM until service time at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hope Chapel of Van Wert.

Condolences may be sent to tbayliff@woh.rr.com