Roberta Hitchcock

On April 11, 2015, Roberta Jeanette Hitchcock, a lifelong resident of Van Wert County, passed away at Otterbein Senior Living Community in Cridersville at the age of 89. She lived on the family farm near Middle Point until recently.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Victor Ulysses Hitchcock; parents, John W. and Lula Martin Bowersock of Wetzel; parents-in-law, Roy C. and Laura Hitchcock; four brothers, Burnell, Burdette, Virgil and Lloyd Bowersock, and son-in-law, John B. Welker.

She is survived by three children, Suzanne Welker (Rick Witham) of Circleville, Stan (Kathie) Hitchcock of St. Marys and Vickie (Robert) Anderson of Glastonbury, Connecticut. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Tom Hitchcock (Heather) of Celina, Amanda Welker (Charley) Meser of Portland, Oregon, Brian (Tamara Malecki) Hitchcock of Middle Point, Gretchen (Dan) Dorsey of Pittsburgh, Ashley (Jeff) Corn of Denver, Brad Anderson of Washington, D.C., and Alex Anderson of Denver. She enjoyed seven great-grandchildren, Cole and Ellie Hitchcock, Ian Meser, Morgan, Maya and Nolan Dorsey, Keaton Salyers and Hunter Hitchcock. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Helen Bowersock and Jaunema Hitchcock, and brother-in-law, Clarence Ringwald.

Roberta was a farm wife, community and church volunteer, teaching assistant, friend, loving mother and grandmother. She served as vice president of the Hoaglin-Jackson Sunrise Club, was a member of Grace Church and, most recently, Zion Christian Union Church. She retired after a 20-year career as a para-professional-teacher assistant for the Severe Behavioral Handicapped Program for Van Wert County Schools. In 1990, she was selected as Para-Professional of the Year by the Ohio Council of Children with Behavioral Disorders for "providing encouragement, consistency and enthusiasm for the program."

Roberta was known for providing encouragement in all aspects of her life. Her warm smile, easy laugh and interest in others inspired those around her to use their talents.

Roberta's greatest joys were her family and friends. She loved keeping in touch with friends, entertaining, cooking, baking, crafting, and traveling to visit family. Throughout the years, she created cherished experiences with children and grandchildren near and far.

Visiting hours are 2 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2015, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home, 722 S. Washington Street, Van Wert, Ohio. 46891.

Funeral services will be held at Zion Christian Union Church on Converse-Roselm Road at 10:30 on Wednesday, April 15, 2015.

The preferred memorial is to the Assisted Living area of Otterbein Senior Living Community, Cridersville, Ohio 45806.