John Bollenbacher

John J. "Junior" Bollenbacher age 89, of Willshire, Ohio, died on September 25, 2014, at The Laurels of Shane Hill in Rockford, Ohio. John was born February 7, 1925 on the family farm in Mercer County to Theodore F. and Minnie L. (Brehm) Bollenbacher. He had resided in Willshire for the past 58 years. John was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Leola Doner, a brother Edgar Bollenbacher and his son-in-law John Casey. He is survived by his wife Janice, his son Ted (Sandee) Bollenbacher of Rockford, his daughter Karen Casey of Columbus, two grandsons Adam (Julie) Bollenbacher of Coldwater and Aaron Bollenbacher of Van Wert, and two great-grandchildren Jacob and Abigail Bollenbacher. John graduated from Rockford High School in 1943 and enlisted in the Navy. He served during World War II on the USS Alaska in the South Pacific. After the war he returned home and farmed with his Dad and brother. He eventually left faming and worked for many years as a farm implement mechanic at Parr Implement in Berne, Indiana. He also worked many years at the Willshire and Parkway Schools. John was the Chief of the Willshire Volunteer Fire Department for many years and also served the community as a little league coach and Boy Scout leader. He was a lifelong member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Rockford, Ohio, and also a member of the Willshire American Legion Post # 207. Calling hours will be 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm on Sunday, September 28, 2014, at the Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford. The funeral will be held on Monday, September 29, 2014, at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 1538 Oregon Road, Rockford, Ohio, at 11:00 AM, with visitation one hour prior to the service, the Rev. Catherine Costello officiating. Burial with military honors by the Willshire American Legion will follow at the church cemetery. The family asks that donations in John's memory be made to St. Paul's United Church of Christ or to the Willshire Fire Department.