Robert Bollenbacher

Robert "Rex" Bollenbacher, age 92, of Rockford, Ohio, died at 7:40 p.m. on Monday, August 21, 2017 at The Laurels of Shane Hill, Rockford, Ohio. He was born on March 9, 1925, in Rockford, Ohio, to Alonzo Benjamin and Faye (Now) Bollenbacher. On May 31, 1947, he married Mary Catherine Schaadt, and she survives in Rockford. Rex lived in Rockford all his life, and was a farmer on the land that he and his wife owned together. Rex held the title of Master Shepherd of Ohio for several years in the 1960's. He served his country in the United States Army during WWII, and was a life member of the Eichar De-Curtins VFW Celina Post #5713. He was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Rockford, where he served on the Consistory and was an elder and deacon as well. For twenty years, he served both as a Blackcreek Township trustee, and a board member of the Mercer County FSA. He served on the Board of Directors of Mercer Landmark and also served on the Board of Mercer County Soil and Water. Surviving in addition to his wife Mary Catherine are two sons: Randy Bollenbacher of Murrysville, PA, and Dennis (Annie) Bollenbacher of Rockford, Ohio; and three grandchildren: Lorie (Kevin) Koch, Dublin, Ohio, Shane Bollenbacher, Fort Recovery, Ohio, and Jason (Megan) Bollenbacher, Celina, Ohio; and five great grandchildren. Deceased is one sister, Anna Rabe; his daughter-in-law, Patty Bollenbacher; 3 sisters-in-laws: Wilma Gehm, Lauetta Laffin, and Eda Schaadt; and brothers-in-laws, Merle Rabe, Herb Schaadt, Frederick Schaadt, Harold Frahm, Dwight Laffin, and Earl Gehm. Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 25, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul United Church of Christ on Oregon Rd., Rockford, with Pastor Mark Rutledge officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home on Thursday from 4-8 pm, and at the church on Friday, one hour prior to the service. The Eichar De-Curtins VFW will have a 7 pm service at the funeral home on Thursday and will provide military services at the grave site on Friday. Memorials may be directed to the church.