Morris R. Dobbelaere

Oakwood - Morris R. Dobbelaere, age 97 of Oakwood, Ohio, passed away on Monday, November 3, 2025, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

He was born in Haskins, OH on January 21, 1928, to the late Julius and Marie (Vynckier) Dobbelaere. On November 4, 1950, he married Viola M. Harrow who preceded him in death in 2012.

Morris was an iron worker for Local #147, Fort Wayne, Indiana, for more than 30 years, retiring in 1990. He was also a self-employed farmer and worked at Johns Manville. He served his country in the United States Army where he was a drill sergeant at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. Morris was a member of Divine Mercy Catholic Parish, Paulding, Ohio, K of C #2584, Paulding, Ohio, Farm Bureau, American Legion Post #0341, Oakwood, Ohio, Eagles Aerie 372, Defiance, Ohio, and the Paulding V.F.W. Post #587. Morris and Viola wintered many years in Silver Springs, Florida.

He is survived by his children: Cathy (Larry) Thornell, Paulding, Ohio; Cindy (Rich) Skiver, Defiance, Ohio; Tom (Shelly) Dobbelaere, Paulding, Ohio; Tim (Tami) Dobbelaere, Oakwood, Ohio; Carole (Mark) Gross, Paulding, Ohio; brother, Robert (Connie) Dobbelaere, Camden, Michigan; sister, Doris Richman, Wolcottville, Indiana; grandchildren: Tricia (Stacie) Lancaster; Gary (Amy) Thornell; TJ (Heather) Thornell; Lorie (Brad) Baughman; Kim (Chad) Molitor; Krista (Brian) Schroeder; Lana (Don) Gorrell; Jenni (Jason) Hoffman; Lisa Dobbelaere; Britney Dobbelaere; Karli (Mark) Diodato; Zach (Amy) Dobbelaere; Aaron (Sara) Gross; Spencer (Stephanie) Gross; Preston Gross; Jackson Althauser; Delaney Althauser; Desirae (Dan) Hagerman; Adam (Stacy) English; great grandchildren: Julia Gonzales; Adam (Madison) Niederholtmeyer; Elyse Niederholtmeyer; Gianna Niederholtmeyer; Eric Thornell; Holden Thornell; Dakota Thornell; Grayson Thornell; Brysten Thornell; Alex Baughman; Nick Baughman; Anna Baughman; Eli Molitor; Brooke Molitor; Hannah Molitor; Luke Schroeder; Logan Schroeder; Hayden Gorrell; Kalli Gorrell; Max Hoffman; Henry Hoffman; Alexis Wright; Jacob Dobbelaere; Nevayah Cler; Caydius Dobbelaere; Luca Diodato; Liam Diodato; Marc Diadato; Max Dobbelaere; Andrew Dobbelaere; Porter Gross; Tatem (Derek) Varner; Olivia (Seth) Wagner; Hailey Stallard; Isaak Hagerman; Raymond Hagerman; Cole English; Claire English; great-great grandchildren: Aria Gonzales; Sophia Varner; Paisley Varner; Thomas Varner; Evan Varner; Adalynn Fronk.

Morris was also preceded in death by his daughters, Frances Dobbelaere, Julie Dobbelaere, Denise Dobbelaere-Althauser; great granddaughter, Jessica Thornell; brothers: George Dobbelaere; Gerard Dobbelaere; Paul Dobbelaere; Henry Dobbelaere; sister, Mary Louise Dobbelaere.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m., Monday, November 10, 2025, at Divine Mercy Catholic Parish, Paulding, OH with Father Austin Ammanniti officiating. Burial will be in Live Oak Cemetery, Paulding, OH where military rites will be accorded by the Paulding V.F.W. Post #587 honor guard.

Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at Den Herder Funeral Home, Paulding, OH with a K of C rosary service at 7:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made in Morris' memory to CHP Home Health Care or the Paulding County Junior Fair Board.

Online condolences may be shared at www.denherderfh.com.