Robert D. (Bob) Bowersox, 93, of Bluffton, formerly of Mt. Cory, died Friday, May 22, 2020, at the Mennonite Home in Bluffton.
He was born on March 14, 1927, in Mt. Cory, to the late John and Anna (Gorby) Bowersox. On June 11, 1948, he married Thelma M. Welty at St. John Mennonite Church, Pandora. Thelma preceded Bob in death on Nov. 23, 2010.
Bob is survived by a son, Larry (Tricia) Bowersox, of Avon, Ohio, and a daughter, Nancy (Garry) Thomas of Mt. Cory. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Holly (Bowersox) Kessler, Avon Lake; Nathan Thomas, Arlington; and Emily Thomas, Findlay; and three great-grandsons, Jeffery Kessler, Jaden Thomas, and Austin Thomas; and a sister, Elinor Burkholder, of Bluffton.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, John and Anna Bowersox, brothers Richard, Kenneth, Earl, and John Jr., and sisters, Ruth Schoonover, Eloise Christmas, and Dorothy Edinger.
Bob was a 1945 graduate of Mt. Cory High School. He served in the U.S. Army prior to the end of World War II and then worked in the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., at the conclusion of the war. He attended Ohio Northern University after his stint in the army. Bob was a lifelong member of the Mt. Cory United Methodist Church where he served in every position and committee, sang in the choir, and organized many banquets, dinners, other special occasions.
He served on the Mt. Cory village council for many years, including terms for treasurer and mayor. Bob was a member of the Mt. Cory Volunteer Fire Department and often spent late nights on emergencies in the community.
Bob was a member of the Senior Citizens Center, Bluffton, where served as an officer and participated in fundraisers and many bus trips. Bob was employed at Triplett Co., Bluffton, before working at Marathon Oil Co. where he retired in 1986 with 28 years of service. He continued to work part-time in retirement at J.C. Penney in the men’s department.
After moving to Maple Crest in 2009, Bob was active in the retirement center’s activities and governance as a resident representative and leader.
Rev. Mark Fuerstenau, pastor of Mt. Cory United Methodist Church, will officiate a memorial service on a future date. Interment will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery with a private service for the immediate family.
Memorial donations may be made to the Mt. Cory United Methodist Church. Arrangements have been entrusted with Coldreh Crates Funeral Home, Findlay. Online condolences may be made at coldrencrates.com .
