Wilmer D. Nierman

Wilmer D. Nierman, 91, of Van Wert, died at 9:13 p.m. Monday, April 23, 2012, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind.

He was born November 10, 1920, in Whitley County, Ind., the son of the late Albert and Grace (Clark) Nierman. He married Edith L. (Marbach) Nierman, who survives.

Other survivors include four children, Gregory (Sandra) Nierman of Newton, N.H., Joyce Ann (Don) Ryan of Kalamazoo, Mich., Pamela (Michael) Chavarria of Van Wert and Ellen (Rudy) Bidlack of Scott; a sister, Dorothy (Edgar) Kuckuck of South Whitley, Ind.; five grandchildren, Christopher Van Doren, Jennifer Van Doren, Mitchell Chavarria, Jason Chavarria and Lynn Bidlack; two stepgrandchildren, Amy Doolin and Erin Deary; three great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

A brother, Harmon Nierman; and one sister-in-law, Audrey Nierman, also preceded him in death.

Mr. Nierman worked for the State of Ohio in the Van Wert County garage for 22 years, and at the weigh station for 10 years, retiring in 1985. He also worked as a groundskeeper for Fort Wayne Country Club and Willow Bend Country Club for several years. He served as a reserve police officer for the Van Wert Police Department for 22 years.  He was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Van Wert, where he was a past deacon, and also belonged to the Lutheran Laymen’s League.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 27, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Van Wert, with the Rev. Philip Zielinski officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.

Calling hours are from 3-8 p.m. Thursday, April 26, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert, and an hour prior to services Friday at the church.

Preferred memorials: Emmanuel Lutheran Church or the Van Wert EMS Squad.

Messages of condolence may be sent to www.alspachgearhart.com.