BEEF BRIEFS IN MEMORIAM... TONY FORSHEY
Dr. Tony Forshey (DVM), 69, of Hebron, passed away on Nov. 26, 2021. Forshey was born in 1952 in Caldwell, Ohio and graduated from Shenandoah High School in Sarahsville, Ohio. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Sciences from The Ohio State University and went on to receive a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from Ohio State. He was a member of the Johnstown Baptist Church and served in many community service roles. Dr. Forshey was a leader in animal health with a passion and commitment to agriculture and animal health. He practiced veterinary medicine for 27 years, with a major interest in swine production involving much of the Midwest. From 1985-2005, he was an Adjunct Associate Professor at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, mentoring Ohio State Vet Med students while maintaining his private practice. From 2006 to the present, he was a State Veterinarian and Chief of Animal Health with the Ohio Department of Agriculture. He held numerous leadership roles at the national level, serving on the Board of Directors for the United States Animal Health Association and Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture. Forshey’s professional memberships and affiliations were extensive including local, state and national organizations. On behalf of the Ohio Department of Agriculture and in the role of State Veterinarian, he worked side by side with Ohio commodity groups: Beef and Dairy Cattle, Cervid, Poultry, Swine, Small Ruminant, Equine Industry, Dog Breeders, Aquaculture, Future Farmers of America, 4-H and Ohio Fair Boards & Managers, and Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.
30 | Ohio Cattleman | Winter Issue 2022
Some of his more recent honors and awards include the following: Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award 2021, NIAA Meritorious Service Award 2021, Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductee 2020, Ohio Fair Managers Dedication and Service Award to Ohio Fair Managers and 95 Fairs 2020, NIAA Chairman’s Award 2019, and the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association Beef Industry Service Award 2013. Forshey is survived by his wife, Jill, and their blended family including sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. Brandon and Dr. Melissa Forshey of Morral, Ohio and Brady and Dr. Ashlea Forshey of Pittsburgh, PA; daughters and son-in-law, Janelle Snyder of Omaha, NE and Jessica ( Jeff Mankel) Meehan of Birmingham, AL; and six grandchildren. He is also survived by 12 siblings. Dr. Forshey left a lasting mark on the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the state, and the nation.
ROBERT HOOVLER
Robert Hoovler, 69, of Belle Center, Ohio passed away on Nov. 28, 2021. He was born in 1952 in Mt. Vernon. Surviving are his three daughters, including Marcia Hoovler who is part of the cattle operation and two sons, in addition to many family members and four grandchildren, as well as his faithful companion: his dog, Buckeye. Hoovler was a lifelong farmer and worked as a cattle buyer for Egbert Livestock for 29 years. As owner of Rolling Hills Farms Simmentals LLC, Hoovler’s life revolved around his farm and cattle. He was a member of the American Simmental Association, the Ohio Simmental Association, the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, and the Hardin County Cattle Producers. He loved everything about being a cattle farmer. Even in his free time he would attend cattle shows and fairs.
Memorial donations in his honor may be made to the Ohio Jr. Simmental Association, 11203 Mullinix Road, West Salem, Ohio 44287.
JOHN NEER
John Neer, 98, of North Lewisburg, Ohio passed away Oct. 19, 2021 at his log home in Champaign County. He was born in Catawba, Ohio in 1923 and married Barbara “Jeanne” Dallas in 1945. Neer and Jeanne, who passed away in 2019, were married 73 years. He is survived by his daughter Susan of Bellefontaine, his sons, Kent of Marysville and Chris of West Jefferson, and an extended family that included ten grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren and eleven nieces and nephews. Neer graduated from Urbana Local schools in 1942. He farmed in Tipp City, Mechanicsburg, Woodstock and Mingo, raising hogs, registered Angus cattle and feeder cattle. He was a member of the Spring Fork Grange in Plumwood. Neer was a 4-H beef club advisor, a member of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, NCBA, the Woodstock Lions Club and the North Lewisburg United Methodist Church. Neer provided years of volunteer leadership for OCA, serving as association president in 1983 and 1984. He actively promoted beef at the county fair, Farm Science Review, the state fair and the Ohio Beef Council. He and his wife travelled to all fifty states and Brazil for the cattle industry. The Neers reconstructed a pre1820 log cabin on their property, which they rented for vacations and meetings until they moved there upon retirement. He enjoyed hunting and fishing on his property, as well as out west and in Canada. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation, 10600 US Highway 42, Marysville, Ohio 43040 or to the Woodstock Lions Club, 2335 St. Rte. 559, Woodstock, Ohio 43084.
