Bernard Edward “Ned” Niehoff passed away Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018 at Mt. Carmel East Hospital in Columbus. He was born in Saginaw, Michigan on June 17, 1931 to the late Bernard Ralph Niehoff and Edna Mary (Freeman) Niehoff.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Nancy (Haslett) Niehoff; daughter, Cynthia Niehoff; son, Gregory Niehoff; grandchildren, Christian, Noah, Amina, Sabina, Annah and Karrina; sisters, Mary Lou Shuler and Nancy Ann Miller; nieces, Jeri, Libby, Mary Ann and Sarah; nephews, Bill, Karl and John; plus great-nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.
Ned served as a military policeman in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He graduated from Michigan Tech in the field of chemical engineering. Immediately after graduation, he spent three months in Europe, traveling by bicycle and staying in youth hostels. Upon return he went to work for Goodyear Tire and Rubber in Akron, Ohio, in the department which developed Videne plastic film. In 1967, he was transferred to work in the new fiberglass plant in Jackson, Ohio. In 1976, he was sent to Australia to assist in the set-up for a company which had purchased the right to use Goodyear’s sheet molding compound process. He was a member of the Lions’ Club for 50 years during six of which he was responsible for the club’s Apple Festival booth. He was also a member of Christ United Methodist Church. He sang in the choir for 50 years. He became the third teacher of the Leon Evans Sunday School class after the death of Carl Crawford. He was deeply involved in the remodeling of the choir loft/organ area.
He designed and had built the shell of the house that he and his wife have lived in for the last 50 years as they did all the finish work in the interior. For many years he gardened and kept bees and fruit trees. He seldom called in a repair person when anything broke or malfunctioned. He took it as a personal challenge to figure out what needed to be done and then to do it.
Friends may call Friday, Dec. 14, 2018 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lewis & Gillum Funeral Home of Jackson. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018 at the Christ United Methodist Church with Pastor Jay Madigan officiating. Burial will follow in Fairmount Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to www.lewisgillum.com