Irving Francis "Irv" Niemi, Jr., 84, of Hermitage, passed away Thursday afternoon, May 4, 2023, in his home.

Mr. Niemi was born on July 20, 1938, in Dearborn, Mich., a son of the late Irving and Pauline (Maheras) Niemi, Sr. He was a 1956 graduate of Sharpsville High School and spent six years in the PA National Guard. While in the National Guard, he was in the artillery unit and earned the expert M1 Carbine badge.

He was employed for more than 35 years for Western and Southern Insurance, retiring as the sales manager for the Hermitage office.

Irv was an avid hunter and target shooter. He was a member of the NRA, White Oak Gun Club, Greenville, and the Western Reserve Fish and Game, Lackawannock Twp. He owned and operated a gunsmithing shop out of his home for many years. His passion for hunting instilled a love for Black Labs. Not only did he train them to retrieve game, but things around his home, like slippers and the newspaper.

He also enjoyed watching baseball and was a fan of the Detroit Tigers.

He is survived by his wife, the former Naomi Hauger, whom he married on September 2, 1961; two sons, Tim Niemi and his wife Tracy, Danville, CA, and Chris Niemi and his wife Jeshabel, Tucson, AZ; three grandchildren, Jessica Niemi, and Naomi and Levi Niemi-Romero; two sisters, Sharon Ference and her husband Francis, Hermitage, and Diane Emery, West Middlesex; one brother, Ted Niemi and his wife Derise, Hermitage; and his beloved dog, Ellie.

In addition to his parents, Irv was preceded in death by a brother John Niemi.

The family suggests memorial contributions be directed to Western Reserve Fish and Game, 1600 West Middlesex Rd., Mercer, PA 16137.

Calling hours will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday (05/09/2023) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 East State St., Sharon.

Funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Tuesday, in the funeral home.

Interment: Morefield Cemetery, Hermitage.