Leonard D. Rath

Leonard D. “Sy” Rath, age 91, of Bryan, Ohio, died at 12:31 A.M. on Friday, September 2, 2011, at Evergreen Manor Nursing Center in Montpelier, Ohio, where he was a resident, after an illness of ten months. Mr. Rath was a lifelong farmer and was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Bryan. He was also a longtime Tiffin Township Trustee, a member of the Defiance County Junior Fair Board, a member of the Farm Bureau Council, where he served on many committees, and was a longtime volunteer at the Thrift Shop in Bryan. For many years he and his wife took care of the Agricultural Building at the Defiance County Fairgrounds. Sy was an avid fan of the Detroit Tigers and enjoyed playing cards at family gatherings, where he was always a winner. Leonard D. Rath was born on November 18, 1919, in Tiffin Township of Defiance County, Ohio, the son of Samuel and Catherine (Lischke) Rath. He married Dorothy Jean Wheeler on February 8, 1947, and she preceded him in death in 2001. Survivors include a sister-in-law, Virginia Rath, and his nieces and nephews, Judy Schroeder, Joan Rath, Douglas (Doris) Rath, Patricia (Art) Somers, Mary (Ric) Mayer, Jennifer (James) Young, Robyn (Michael) Hawkins, Samuel (Wendy) Rath, Gregory (Stacey) Rath, John (Jean) Sohnly, Richard (Angela) Sohnly, Carol Kamcza, Donald (Kathy) Rath, Joyce (Terry) Taylor and Allan (Mary) Rath. He was also preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter, Katherine Rath, in 1962 and eight brothers and sisters. Services for Leonard D. “Sy” Rath will be held on Tuesday, September 6, 2011, at 10:30 A.M. in St. Patrick Catholic Church in Bryan with Reverend James Halleron officiating. Interment will follow in Fountain Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service, beginning at 9:30 A.M., on Tuesday, September 6. Memorials in the name of Leonard D. “Sy” Rath may be given to the Community Hospitals and Wellness Centers Hospital Hospice.