Robert Exline, Sr.

Robert “Bob” L. Exline, Sr., 79, of Van Wert, Ohio died at 3:18 PM on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at the Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.  He was born May 9, 1938 in Van Wert, Ohio to the late Charles W. and Mildred L. (Richards) Exline.  On April 21, 1963 he married the former Cheryl “Cheri” D. Runnion.

For over 30 years he worked at Clark’s Shoe Store until its closing.  He then worked at Sonoco Fiber Drum (now Grief Brothers) in Van Wert, until his retirement in 2004.  After retirement, he worked part time for Quality Sorting.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Van Wert and served on many boards.  For several years he served as Scoutmaster of Troop 35 and had been a little league coach.  During his retail years, he had been Chairman of the Retail Merchants.  Bob has been a member of the B.P.O.E. Lodge #1197 in Van Wert for over 58 years and served as an Exalted Ruler and on the Board of Trustee’s.  He served on the Van Wert Peony Festival Committee for 20 years and served as President for 15 of those years.

He attended the International Business College after graduation from high school and is a veteran of the Ohio National Guard, serving for 4 years.

In addition to his wife Cheri, Bob is survived by a daughter, Shelley A. (Don) Bokmiller of Charlotte, North Carolina; a son, Robert “Rob” L. (Sandra) Exline, Jr. of Houston, Texas; a grandson, Robert Zachary Exline of Houston; a granddaughter, Kalyn Rae Exline of Houston; Brother in Law & Sister in Law, Dave and Kim Clouse of Van Wert; nephew, Dr. Troy (Kimberly) Clouse of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; a niece, Tonia D. (Mark) Verville of Van Wert; great nieces and nephews, Emma E. Verville, Rachel M. Verville, Sarah G. Verville, and Mark Benjamin Verville, all of Van Wert, and Peyton A. Clouse and Landyn Clouse, both of Ft. Wayne; and a nephew, Joel Salaway of Springfield, Ohio.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents; a brother, James W. Exline and his wife Shirley; and his stepmother Datha M. (Judkins-Gamble) Exline.

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory with Rev. Hal Shafer officiating.  Graveside services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday at Woodlawn Cemetery, Ohio City, Ohio.

Visitation will be from 4:00-7:30 PM on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at the funeral home.  An Elks memorial service will be held at 7:30 PM on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials may be directed to First Presbyterian Church or Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.

Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.