Retired Bluffton businessman and community leader Maurice E. Fett, 86, died at 11:45 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009, at Bridge Hospice Care Center, Findlay.

His interests covered all aspects of Bluffton. He retired as owner of Fett Hardware, which at one time was located in the present Bluffton Senior Citizens storefront.

He was born March 2, 1923, in Bluffton to Gilbert and Inez (Triplehorn) Fett. On May 1, 1949, he married Eula Locher. She died Sept. 16, 1991. On June 14, 1997, he married Maeola McClain and she survives.

He was a member of the Citizens National Bank board of directors for 40 years. He also served as president of the Bluffton Stone Co. Fett was a longtime member and past president of the Bluffton Business Men's Association, the forerunner of the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce. His signature is on the original business men's charter.

Fett was a member of the English Lutheran Church, Bluffton, the Bluffton Masonic Lodge, Bluffton American Legion Post 382 and the Bluffton Senior Citizens Association.

He was active in the development of Bluffton's downtown. He was a force behind the original streetscape program of the late 1960s. He was honored by the Bluffton Lions Club as citizen of the year. He also served as one of the grand marshals of the Blaze of Lights parade.

He graduated from Bluffton High School and attended Ohio Northern University. During World War II he served in the Army Air Corp.

He is surved by Maeola Fett, his wife; sons, David (Mary) Fett, Robert (Sue) Fett and Edward (Denise) Fett, all of Bluffton. Also surviving is a daughter, Carol (Larry) Hechler, Huntertown, Ind. He is survived by 12 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, one step-son, Michael (Cindy) McClain, Vanlue, and one step-daughter, Laura (Kevin) Cavitt, Findlay. He is also survived by six step-grandchildren.

Visitation is from 3-8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 16, at Chiles-Laman Funeral Home, Bluffton. A funeral service is planned at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 17, at the English Luthern Church, Bluffton. Rev. Kevin Mohr will officiate.

Military rites will take place at the Maple Grove Cemetery by the Bluffton American Legion. Burial is in Maple Grove, Bluffton. Memorials may go to English Lutheran Church, Bluffton, or Bridge Hospice.