William Gingrich

William "Bill" Charles Gingrich, 86, was received into the arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, May 11 at Willowbrook Christian Village in Delaware, Ohio. Bill was born on April 20, 1936 in Van Wert, Ohio to Frederick and D'nelda (Baxter) Gingrich both of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Jean Ann Gingrich, his sister Martha Rawlins of Van Wert, Ohio and is survived by his brother Karl Gingrich of Findlay, Ohio. He was a graduate of Van Wert High School class of 1954. He earned his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration in 1981 from Findlay College and his MBA in 1984 from the University of Dayton.

Bill married Jean Ann (Martz) of Rockford, Ohio on December 19, 1964. Bill and Jean were married for 55 years during which time they resided in Ft. Wayne, Indiana; Rockford, Ohio; Lima, Ohio; Apple Valley, Minnesota; Lombard, Illinois; and Delaware, Ohio. Bill worked in various positions involving finance and accounting for a variety of companies, including: Schlatter Hardware, City Loan and Savings, Control Data Corporation, North American Baptist Conference, and Central Baptist Village. When Jean's Alzheimer's disease became advanced, Bill devoted himself to her care, visiting her daily at Passages Memory Care at Willowbrook Christian Village.

Bill and Jean are survived by four children: Curtis Lee (Deanna) Gingrich of Powell, Ohio; Christopher Allen (Patricia) Gingrich of DeKalb, Illinois; Patricia Diane (Marc) Sweeney of Xenia, Ohio; and Jennifer Ilean (Paul) Huffaker of Bourbonnais, Illinois. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren: Johathan, Emily, Joshua (Mackenzie), Justin (Elizabeth), Jacob, Sebastian, Rachel (Luke), Benjamin, Anna, Kyle, and Nicole as well as three great grandchildren: Titus, Roman, and Levi.

Though reserved in his demeanor, Bill was known for his boisterous laugh and regard for others. He will be remembered for his integrity, deep faith, strong work ethic, kindness and generosity, and devotion to his wife, children, and family.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, May 21 at 10 AM at Ketcham Ripley Funeral Home, 111 West First Street, Rockford, Ohio. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Rockford. Friends may call prior to the service on Saturday from 9AM - 10 AM.

Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 16th Floor New York, NY 10001, or Willowbrook Christian Village, 100 Willowbrook Way South, Delaware, OH 43015.

To share in William's online memorial, please visit www.ketchamripley.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, 111 W. First Street, Rockford, OH 45882.