Lois Rager

Lois Rager, 99, of Rockford, Ohio, passed away suddenly, early Wednesday morning, December 27, 2017, at Van Wert County Hospital, Van Wert, Ohio.  She was born August 1, 1918, to Clarence V. and Ethel O. (Custer) McSherry.  On April 7, 1940, she married Robert E. Rager, who preceded in death on August 7, 2005.

Lois was a homemaker and worked as a bookkeeper at the Rockford Lumber Co. in Rockford for ten years.  She also had worked as the secretary at the College Avenue Methodist Church in Muncie, Indiana, prior to that.  Lois and her husband had lived in numerous places, traveling for 30 years, while Bob worked on the railroad.  After his retirement, they moved from Battle Creek, Michigan, back to Rockford, where they enjoyed watching the bluebirds in the birdhouses which Bob had built.  They were both avid birdwatchers.

Lois was a member of the former Rockford Presbyterian Church as well as a member of the Rockford Presbyterian Women’s Association.  She served both as an elder and a deacon in the church.  She was a member of the Ohio Bluebird Society and the North American Bluebird Society.  Lois became a member of Olive Branch Church of God, Rockford, when the Presbyterian Church closed its doors.

Surviving are a son, Larry Robert (Tammi) Rager, of Columbus, Ohio; 4 grandchildren:  Ryan (Joyce) Rager, Erin (Judd) Potts, Jeremy (Tina) Rager, and Blake (Katherine) Severson, along with multiple great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great granddaughter.  Also surviving is a special niece, Carolyn ( Bader) Cassin.  Deceased in addition to her husband, Bob, is a daughter, Carol Diane Rager, and a sister, Marcella Easthom.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 29, 2017, at 1:00 p.m., at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, Ohio with Pastor Chip Steffy officiating.  Graveside services will follow at  Riverside Cemetery, Rockford.  Friends may call Friday prior to the service at the funeral home from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m.  Memorials may be directed to  Olive Branch Church of God, St. Rte. 118, Rockford, Ohio.  Condolences may be expressed at ketchamripley.com.