Morris R. Gorman

Morris R. Gorman, 85, of Van Wert, died at 1:17 a.m. Sunday, April 14, 2013, at Bay Park Community Hospital in Oregon (Ohio).

He was born October 5, 1927, in Ridge Township, Van Wert County, the son of the late Daniel and Mary Beatrice (Rohr) Gorman. On January 8, 1949, he married Mary Jean (Finkhousen) Gorman, who preceded him in death on March 19, 2008.

Mr. Gorman was a lifelong farmer and resident of Ridge Township. He also was employed part-time as an electrician with the former Gorman Electric Company of Van Wert.

He was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Van Wert, Knights of Columbus Council 6034, a longtime member of the Van Wert County Regional Airport Authority, Middle Point Amvets Auxiliary and an active member of various agricultural organizations.

Morris was an avid aviator and flew up to the time of his death. Always smiling, he loved his family, friends and fun times. He was a great neighbor and loved family gatherings, along with snowmobiling, boating, camping and hunting.

Survivors include his children, Diana (Steven) Pollock, Randy Gorman, Shelly (Chuck) Eberle, Teresa (Kurt) Schalois and Shawn (Michelle) Gorman, all of Van Wert, Kathy (Tom) Reed of Port Clinton, and Todd (Nadege Jay) Gorman of Ceyzerieu, France; 25 grandchildren; six stepgrandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Two children, Sandra Kay Gorman and Phillip Bruce Gorman; a granddaughter, Cassandra McDonough; five brothers, Glenn, Frank, George, Tom and Fred “Ted” Gorman; and four sisters, Eleanor Winkler, Katherine Williams, Florence Hiller and Helen Skerritt, also preceded him in death.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 18, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Van Wert, with Father Stanley Szybka officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.

Calling hours are from 2-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert, with a Parish Rosary to be recited at 8 that evening.

Preferred memorials: St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church Foundation or the St. Vincent DePaul Society.

Online condolences may be left at www.bricknerfuneralhome.com or sent to bricknerfuneralhome@bright.net.