Clayton Hershberger

SUGARCREEK -- Clayton Hershberger, 90, of Sugarcreek, died Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, at Walnut Hills Nursing Home, Walnut Creek.

He was born Aug. 15, 1926, in the family farmhouse situated between Walnut Creek and Sugarcreek in a location known as "Mud Valley." His parents were William O. and Mary Ann Hershberger. He graduated from Walnut Creek High School in 1945. Prior to that, he attended a one-room school known as Gerber Valley School.

He married Eileen R. Smith (deceased) on June 17, 1950, and was a lifetime member of Walnut Creek Mennonite Church. His wife, Eileen, passed away in August 2013.

Clayton began his dairy farming career in 1946 and continued that career until 1986. He served as a Walnut Creek Township trustee for 16 years and drove school bus for East Holmes Local Schools for seven years. He served a number of years on the Holmes County Agricultural Stabilization Conservation Committee and was a longstanding member of Holmes County Farm Bureau Organization. He served three terms as a Holmes County commissioner.

His passion for farming led him to establish a custom silo filling and combining business, which he operated for 27 years. He had a passion for operating Farmall and International Harvester farm equipment.

His hobbies included following the Hiland Hawks athletic events, as well as the Cleveland professional sports teams.

Surviving are children, Michael and wife, Teresa (Weaver) and Craig and wife, Deborah (Putt), all of whom reside in Sugarcreek; grandchildren, Evan, Curtis and Renee Hershberger and Katelyn (Derek) Kaufman.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, and an infant sister, Dennis, Cloyse, William O., Paul, David and Catherine.

A Celebration of Life service will be Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 11 a.m. at Walnut Creek Mennonite Church, with pastor Don Hamsher officiating. Burial will be at 10 a.m. in the church cemetery prior to the services. Friends may call today (Tuesday) from 4-7 p.m. at Walnut Creek Mennonite Church or Wednesday from 9-10 at the church prior to burial.

Arrangements are being handled by Smith-Varns Funeral Home, Sugarcreek.

Memorials may be made to Walnut Creek Mennonite Church, P.O. Box 182, Walnut Creek 44687; or Harvest Ridge-Holmes County Fairgrounds, P.O. Box 376, Millersburg 44654. For those unable to attend, please visit www.smithfuneral.com to share a memory and sign the guest register.