Byrdell G. Kempf

Byrdell Birdie Kempf, 84, of Galion, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 2, 2017 after a brief illness. He was born in Galion on May 29, 1933 to the late Vincent and Amanda (Verhoff) Kempf. He was married to Gretchen (Schmitt) Kempf, who preceded him in death, January 1998.A sports enthusiast, Byrdell was a life-long Detroit Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes fan. In his twenties, he played and coached CYO basketball, pitched for both the American Legion fast-pitch and American Legion slow-pitch leagues. Byrdell left those leagues to proudly serve his country in the United States Army, as a tank commander, during the Korean Conflict.He was a journeyman tool and die maker, working at Mansfield Tool and Die for over 30 years. In his retirement he continued to enjoy golf, bluegrass music, playing euchre, and attending Galion High School sporting events. He also enjoyed visiting the residents of Magnolia Terrace, especially his former neighbor, Mary Curran. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, one of the parishs first lectors and was a regular at weekly rosary.Byrdell is survived by his daughters, Kim (Rick) Blum-Hyclak of Lancaster, South Carolina, Lynda (Jon) Wagner of Newark, Ohio, and Trudy Kempf of Galion; was a loving Grandpa to nine grandchildren, Zachary (Ashley) Blum, Gabrielle Blum, Nicholas (Jubilee) Blum, Matt Hyclak, Tim Hyclak, Devin (Lane) Hartfield, Jonathan (Jennifer) Wagner, Madison Wagner, and Gretchen Wagner; and was just beginning to enjoy his four great-grandchildren, Kesiah and Dalen Hyclak, Rylie Hartfield and Eli Blum. Byrdell is also survived by special nieces and nephews; the Keyes family; close friends, Fr. Dennis Schroeder and Bob and Mary George. In addition to his wife, Byrdell was preceded in death by special friend, Ann Keyes; brother, Syvonne Kempf; and sister, Wynoid Weithman.The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, July 14, 2017 at the Richardson Davis Chapel of Snyder Funeral Homes, 218 South Market St., Galion, Ohio 44833, where a vigil service will be held at 1:30 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 15, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 135 N. Liberty St., Galion, with Father Paul Fahrbach and Father Dennis Schroeder as Celebrants. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Galion, where military honors will be observed.Memorials can be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Joseph Catholic Church, 135 N. Liberty St., Galion, Ohio 44833 or First Tee of Central Ohio, 7309 East Livingston Ave., P.O Box 3, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068.The family wishes to thank Richardson Davis Chapel of Snyder Funeral Homes for their assistance.