Monday, April 15th, 2013
Robert Kohler
Robert L. Kohler, 94, formerly of Celina, Amherst and Spencerville, died at 4:46 p.m. April 12, 2013, at Grand Lake Hospice, Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys.
He was born Dec. 7, 1918, in St. Marys, to Andrew and Maude M. Caldwell Kohler. On Oct. 23, 1937, he married Vonda D. "Vonnie" Seibert, who died March 13, 2006.
Surviving are two daughters, Gloria L. (Jack L.) Ford of Las Vegas, Nev., and Nancy L. Kohler of Conifer, Colo.; two grandsons, Trevor W. Dell of Lancaster and Devin C. (Karen) Dell of N.C.; two great-grandchildren, Natasha Mya Dell and William Howard Dell; three siblings, Betty (Rex D.) Weaver and Barbara (Wilbur) Brubaker, both of St. Marys, and Edward Charles "Chuck" (Beth) Kohler of Wapakoneta; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Kohler of Delphos and Stella Kohler of Wapakoneta; a special nephew and niece, Larry and Sharon Seibert, and several other dear nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Clarence and Roy Kohler; and three sisters, Mildred Kohler, Ethel (Leroy) Wibbeler and Mary (Walter) Larsh.
He formerly was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Celina, and later attended the Monticello United Brethren in Christ Church.
He graduated in 1936 from Memorial High School in St. Marys, and worked for 30 years at Mersman's in Celina as an electrician. He moved to Amherst to work 16 1/2 years at the Ford Motor Assembly Plant in Lorain, retiring in 1984.
He served in the Navy during World War II in the South Pacific.
He was a 60-year member of Celina Lodge #241, Free and Accepted Masons, the Royal Arch Masons Chapter #51 in St. Marys, and a member of the Royal and Select Masters, Council #81 in St. Marys. He was a member of the Bowersock Bros. VFW Post #6772 in Spencerville, and the Spirit of Freedom American Legion Post #76 in Las Vegas.
Funeral services are 11 a.m. Wednesday at Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville, the Rev. Andrew J. Atkins officiating. Burial will follow at Spencerville Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the Spencerville Veterans.
Calling is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, where Masonic memorial rites will be held at 8 p.m.
Memorials may be given to the Otterbein St. Marys Partner Appreciation Fund or the Grand Lake Hospice Comfort Care.
