Lowell Laree Hoy, 70. died on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014, at 10 a.m. at Lima Memorial Health System, Lima.

He was born on Feb. 1, 1943, in Allen County, Ohio, to Gerald A. "Casey" and Gladys (Gunn) Hoy and they preceded him in death. On Feb. 27, 1965, he married Bonnie (Merriman) Hoy and she survives in LaFayette.

Lowell previously worked at Clarke Equipment and then he went to General Dynamics. He later retired in 2008 from John Deere Findlay Implement. He graduated from LaFayette-Jackson High School in 1963. He then joined the National Guard and the Army Reserves where he served for more than 6 years.

He was previously a Little League baseball coach, volunteer for Vo-Ag Department at Allen East High School, Assisted with Allen East High School baseball. He was the founder of the Allen County Sharpshooters 4-H Club. He volunteered as a 4-H advisor for 38 years, Allen County Fair Superintendent in the Swine Department along with multiple other jobs at the fair.

He volunteered in senior visitation at the Allen County Sheriff Department. He was an active attendee at Lima First Assembly of God Church and was involved in mission work, Light for the Lost Mission Work. He was a member of the Sager Lodge #513 F&AM and a 32nd Degree Mason, Allen County Conservation Club, Lifetime member of the NRA, member of the North Side Bass Masters Club, Member of the Cairo Sportsmen Club and a member of the Hog Creek Game Club. He also served as a Hunter Safety Instructor for many years and a Concealed Carry Instructor.

Also surviving are his children; Lora "Punk" (Mark) McSeveney of Hanson, MA., Brad (Angie) Hoy of LaFayette and Sheri Pitney of Ada; 11 grandchildren: Amanda (Justin) Holt, Kelsey Parker, JJ McSeveney, Tyler Vermillion, Levi (Morgan) Hoy, Kayla McSeveney, Brady Pitney, Hannah Hoy, Abby Pitney, Megan McSeveney and Brice Pitney; four great grandchildren; a brother, Keith (Brenda) Hoy of Spartanburg, S.C.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Marcia Vermillion and a brother, Lynn Hoy.
Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, at Lima First Assembly of God Church on State Route 81 (1660 Findlay Road, Lima) with Pastor Randy Davis officiating. Burial will be in Desenburg Cemetery, Harrod.

Friends may call 2-8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 17, at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Ada, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. A Masonic service will be conducted at 7:45 p.m. on Friday by the Sager Lodge #513 F&AM.

Memorial contributions may be made to Allen County Sharpshooters 4-H Club, 22808 Bowser Road, Lima, Ohio 45806.