Robert Thompson

Robert D. Thompson, 68, of Coldwater, Ohio, died at 9:20 am on Tuesday, July 3, 2012, at Mercer Health in Coldwater, Ohio. He was born April 2, 1944, in Van Wert, Ohio, to Ernest C. and Gertrude (McBride) Thompson. He married Gail J. Knudson on August 21, 1966, and she preceded him in death on May 10, 2008. On March 28, 2009, he married Louanna (Smith) Pennington Thompson, and she survives in Coldwater, Ohio. He was a teacher at St. Henry High School from 1967-1997, teaching Business Education and Computer Technology while there. He also taught adult education at Vantage and Business at Wright State University, Lake Campus, in Celina, Ohio. After retiring from St. Henry, he was employed by Peoples Bank Company, where he began the new branch bank in Rockford, in 1997. He was Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager in the Rockford office. He retired from there in 2010. He was a very active member in the Coldwater United Methodist Church, where he was chairman of the Finance Committee, Trustees, and Pastor-Parish Relations Committee. He was also lay leader at the church and played on the dart ball and volley ball teams. Robert served on the Mercer County Board of Mental Heath, and was a member of the Coldwater Jaycees and played on their basketball team. He was a founder of the Leota Braun Charitable Foundation, Treasurer of the Rockford Lions, a member of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce,Library and Park Boards, and had the honor of being chosen "Rockford Citizen of the Year" in 2006. In 1995, he was honored by being chosen "Ohio Business Teacher of the Year". He was Valedictorian of Parkway High School, where he won the honor of choosing the name Parkway Panthers. He furthered his education, graduating from Huntington University, and then went on to obtain his Master's degree from Michigan State. Surviving in addition to his wife, Louanna, are three children and four step-children: a son, Mark Robert Thompson, New Bremen; two daughters, Linda M. (G. Eric) Temple, Wapakoneta, Cheryl E. (Jeffery G.) Christensen, Troy, Ohio; two step-sons, Norman E. (Stephanie) Pennington, Beavercreek, Ohio, Mark A. (Peg) Pennington, Grove City, Ohio; two step-daughters, Janet L. Pennington, Wolcottville, Indiana, and Stephanie (Gary) Sellers, Columbus, Ohio. In addition, there are four grandchildren: Alec and Wesley Temple and Nicholas and Kathleen Christensen; nine step-grandchildren also survive. Three brothers survive: Steve (Marcia) Thompson, Rockford; Paul (Katy) Thompson, Gallup, New Mexico, and Phil Thompson, Rockford. Also surviving is a sister, Ann (Gary) Brown, of Akron, Ohio. Services will be held Saturday, July 7, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at the Coldwater United Methodist Church with Rev. Allen Brown officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Rockford. Friends may call at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford on Friday from 2-8 p.m., and at the church on Saturday, one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be directed to the Leota Braun Foundation or to the church.