Byron LeRoy Gossard, age 55, died on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at 6:35 PM at St. Rita's Medical Center Inpatient Hospice Unit, Lima.

He was born on June 2, 1960 in Lima, Ohio to Eldon R. and Cleo L. (Shaw) Gossard. His father preceded him in death and his mother survives in Harrod. On February 5, 1994 he married Wendy R. Zimmerman and she survives in Harrod.

LeRoy worked as a Corrections Officer for 18 years at the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville and formerly at the Lima Correctional Institute. He was a member of the Waynesfield United Methodist Church. He was a former member of the Auglaize Cattleman's Association. LeRoy was active in 4-H for many years. He loved to farm and travel. LeRoy loved his children and grandchildren.

Also surviving are three sons: Justin (Sarah) Gossard of Bellefontaine, Joel Neeley of West Liberty and Josh Gossard of Waynesfield; five daughters: Ashley Gossard of Urbana, Kayla (Chris) Gaskill of Wapakoneta, Tarah Neeley of Waynesfield, Laken (Tyler) Bordner of Ft. Wainwright, Alaska and Whitney Gossard of Harrod; eleven grandchildren; a brother, Phillip Gossard of Harrod; and a sister, Kathy (Richard) Hutchinson of Lima.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Rhett Eldon LeRoy.

Funeral services will begin at 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 28, 2016 at Waynesfield United Methodist Church at 124 East Wapakoneta Street, Waynesfield, Ohio 45896 with Pastor Katie Hayes officiating.        Burial will be in Salem Cemetery, Westminster.

Friends may call from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday, May 27, 2016 at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Alger and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Waynesfield United Methodist Church General Fund at 117 Guthrie Street, Waynesfield, Ohio 45896