LeRoy Junior Chokey, 88, of Nappanee, Ind., passed away peacefully at home Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, which was his wife’s birthday.

He was born Sept. 12, 1925, in New Paris, Ind., to the late Roy and Elmina (Moneyheffer) Chokey. He married Betty J. Bartman, Nov. 6, 1948, in Syracuse, Ind. She preceded him in death.

Mr. Chokey was a graduate of Goshen High School. The Chokeys had lived on Saw Mill Lake, near Leesburg, Ind., before returning to Nappanee. They had also lived in Elpaso, Texas. LeRoy was a WW II Army Veteran. He had served in the Philippines, New Guinea and Japan. Mr. Chokey had worked at Johnson Controls for 47 years as a supervisor and staff consultant . He was a member of the First Brethren Church and Johnson Controls Retiree’s Club. He enjoyed motorcycles, golf, bowling and fishing.

He is survived by his daughters: Pamela Reed, Syracuse; Patty Fortier, Nappanee; Penny Cripe, North Webster, Ind.; grandchildren: Michale (Jeff) Jackson, Marci J. Reed, Brent (Cheyanne) Fortier, all of Goshen, Ind.; Matthew Reed, Land-0-Lakes, Fla.; Angie (Kevin) Murphy, South Bend, Ind.; Stacey (Matt) Adams-Bunch, Nappanee; Toni (Nathan) Bradbury, stationed with the US Army in Naples, Italy; 19 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a great-great-granddaughter; brothers: ‘Jake’ Harvey, Russell, Charles Chokey; and sisters: Dorothy Culp and Claricy Groves.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, at Thompson-Lengacher and Yoder Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, at First Brethren Church in Nappanee. Funeral Service which will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, at the church with Reverends Tom Shiefer and Bart Shaw officiating. Burial will be in South Union Cemetery with Military Graveside Services by the Nappanee American Legion.

Memorial contributions may be given to the First Brethren Church.