Ford Bollenbacher

Ford M. Bollenbacher, 76, of Rockford, Ohio, died at 4:42 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, 2014, at the Kobacker House, Hospice Center, Columbus, Ohio, after a brief illness. He was born in Rockford, Ohio, on February 27, 1938, the son of George Edwin and Edna (Koeppel) Bollenbacher. On June 29, 1957, he married Gretchen Miller, and she survives. Ford had been a farmer his entire life, and also owned and operated the Ag Shop, where he worked on tractors and autos. He had lived here his entire life, and was a member of the Chattanooga United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, Ohio. Ford will always be remembered for being the "Voice of the Panthers", announcing football and basketball games for over 30 years for the Parkway Panthers in Rockford. Surviving in addition to his wife, Gretchen, are two children--Greg (Betty) Bollenbacher of Powell, Ohio and Jill (Ron) Walker of Delaware, Ohio. Seven grandchildren survive: Dani Bollenbacher, Jamie Bollenbacher, Derrick Kuhn, Derrin Kuhn, Ronnie Walker, Aaron Walker, and Natasha Walker. One great granddaughter, Claire Kuhn also survives. One sister, Betty Drey, survives in Phoenix, Arizona, as well as a sister-in-law, Betty Bollenbacher, of Celina, Ohio. One granddaughter, Libbie Kuhn preceded Ford in death, as did his three brothers--Marlin "Jiggs" Bollenbacher, Darlene Bollenbacher, and Eugene Bollenbacher, and his sister, Delores Winget. The Bollenbacher Family is planning a time for friends and relatives to gather and celebrate Ford's life. They will be receiving friends and family on Sunday, July 27, 2014 from 2:00 -5:00 p.m. at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford. Memorials may be directed to the Kobacker House, 800 McConnell Drive, Columbus, Ohio, 43214