Eugene Lewis Neff, age 88 of Lima, passed at 12:00 a.m., Sunday, December 19, 2021 at Roselawn Manor in Spencerville. He was born December 29, 1932 at St. Rita’s Hospital in Lima, Ohio to the late Howard E. and Anne T. (Brinkman) Neff.

E. Lewis Neff graduated from Shawnee High School in 1951 where he studied vocational agriculture and became a full-time farmer.

Mr. Neff was drafted in the U.S. Army in 1955. He served in Japan and Korea in 1955 and 1956. The last year he was assigned to be personal jeep driver for the Lt. Col. Waggle who was head of the G3 training for the 24th division headquarters.

He was a lifetime member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church. He served on the church council, taught Sunday school, was a lay leader, and sang in the senior choir.

He was a member of the Hume Volunteer Fire Department and later the Shawnee Fire Department serving a total of 47 years. He served on the Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Committee, was a member and past president of the Shawnee Zoning Board. He was a member of the #370 Aerie Eagles of Lima and a member of the Lima Farmers Club where he served as president for two years.

On December 20, 1959 he married Josephine Rohrbacher, who passed July 14, 2017. He is survived by two sons – Paul Edman Neff and Steven Eric Neff; three grandchildren – Mariah Neff, Morgan (Trenton) Ward, and Mackenzie Neff.

He was preceded in death by an infant son – Bruce Neff; a sister – Mary Lou Neff Dulany, and a step mother Elizabeth Neff.

He, his wife and sons enjoyed traveling thru the United States and Canada with their camper. They cruised for many years to the islands in the Caribbean and Central America. Places they traveled to included Mexico, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Europe and the Holy Land.

Funeral services will begin 10:30 a.m., Thursday, December 23, 2021 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church. Pastor Samuel Payne will officiate. Burial will follow in Shawnee Cemetery where military rites will be observed.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Wednesday
at Bayliff & Son Funeral Home, Cridersville and one hour prior to services Thursday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Matthew Lutheran Church.