Timothy Bodmer

Timothy Austin Bodmer of Troy Ohio passed away at the age of 76 on May 2nd 2025

Born 01.21.1949 in Ironton Ohio to Austin and Bertha (Miller) Bodmer- He was raised along with his two brothers Danny and Ronnie and little sister Laura in Wilgus Ohio surrounded by a large close family of cousins, uncles, aunts, grandparents and friends (that felt like family). That was the foundation of a life that valued family and friends over everything else and made him the kind of man that everyone loved and counted on.

Our Dad graduated from Symmes Valley High School in 1967 and soon after left to seek his fortune in Dayton Ohio with his cousins Chuck and Mike. There they all got jobs at GM (Frigidaire) and all THREE met the loves of their lives. Dad met our mom (Betty Ritchie) on his first night in town and they were engaged later that year. Our Dad and Mom got married 08.03.68. That same month Dad joined the Navy. His adventures in the Navy made for many a great story and he was proud of his country and his service.

Over the next few years three daughters were born and in 1975 our family moved to West Milton where our Dad rebuilt a 1 1/2 story two bedroom farmhouse into our family home.

In 1979 Dad gave up on having a son and we adopted our little sister April and our family was complete.

In those years Dad worked 2-3 jobs, went to school and still helped anyone who was in need. He was the hardest worker we ever knew. His fascination with taking things apart and putting them back together started about the time he was born and never ended. Older family members would always tell us how "Timmy" would come over and as a little boy he would take things apart at their house "to see how they worked" and eventually he would put it back together... or not...

After raising FOUR girls- it was time for a BOY in the house and Dad became a GRANDPA when his first grandbaby Sean was born. The "son" he had never had. Dad was so happy that lo and behold- Sean was born wanting to see how things worked too- no play tools for him- he wanted the real deal...

Over the years more grandbabies came and he was forced to play barbies and have tea parties with the girls (which he privately told us was more exhausting than cutting down a tree!) Those grandbabies were the joy of his life. Sean, Autumn, Isaac, Bethany, Charity, Penny and Jackson.

In 2011 we lost our mom suddenly and dad was broken and without purpose... but then a miracle happened. Without any help from us- He met Marcia (Klein) and he had hope again. He was one of the few lucky ones who found a second "love of his life". Marcia made our family complete once again. They were married 03.23.13 and began a new life together.

Sadly, in early 2016 Dad had a few strokes that left him partially paralyzed and near death. Doctors told us he had less than a 1% chance of survival. But another miracle happened and he had a near full recovery and was even able to drive once again for a short time. His brain had been damaged though, and vascular dementia became apparent. We watched for the next nine years as his memories faded and he was mostly dependent on us.

Every day (with very few exceptions) he was happy, content and always a bit ornery. His life was full of joy and adventures with family and he lived those nine years with gratefulness- saying thank you for everything we did for him and smiling his little boy smile. He also got the joy of SIX Great grandbabies being born over those nine "miracle" years.

After nine years of smiles, porch sittin', visitin', good comfort food and having his pup Maddie Mae by his side- he decided it was time to go home. He took a long nap and went home to be with all of those he had loved and lost over the years. A wonderful reunion.

So our hearts are broken for our loss, but he is well and surrounded in love.

He leaves behind his wife - Marcia, daughters Angela (William) Stull, Donna (Eddie) Burke, Becky Heiligenberg and April's husband Jeff Belnap (our sister April passed away in 2021) . Grandchildren Sean Weatherhead, Autumn Weatherhead, Isaac Stull, Bethany Stull, Charity Sykes, Penny Sykes and Jackson Belnap. GREAT Grandbabies (the ones who made him "truly great" he always said) Letty Rose, Laynie, Reece, Holden, Harper and Camden... Brothers Danny (Irene) Bodmer and Ronnie (Melinda) Bodmer, and sister Laura (David) Mccomas. The sweetest Mother-in-law Sarah Ritchie and so many cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends. His life was so full.

Thank you to Ohio's Hospice of Miami County for making his last days so comfortable.

Service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, May 9, 2025 at Baird Funeral Home, Troy with interment to follow in Poplar Hill Cemetery, Vandalia. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 PM on Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Tim's honor to: Honor Flight for Veterans at: https://www.honorflight.org/donate/ or Upper Room Worship Center, Tipp City. Condolences may be expressed to the family through www.bairdfuneralhome.com.