Rev. Frederick G. Bleck

Rev. Fred Bleck of Shreve was welcomed into Heaven hearing the words “well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your Master,” on Saturday, June 14th, 2025, after a recent illness and hospice placement in Millersburg, OH.

Rev. Bleck was born September 28, 1932, in Hammond, Indiana, to Marian and Frederick H. Bleck. He played baseball and went to state with his high school's track team before graduating from Hammond High. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict from 1953-1955. Upon return from Korea, he attended Purdue University and Valparaiso University. He married Edna Ray on December 31, 1960. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga. Following graduation in 1965, he moved his family to Crestline to pastor the Conservative Baptist Church. In 1975, their church family blessed Pastor and Edna with an unforgettable 2-week tour of the Holy Land (Greece, Egypt, Israel, Syria, and Rome) to celebrate their 10th anniversary in ministry. As the congregation grew, the church purchased land on Thrush Avenue and moved into the new building in the late 1970s. After 19 years in Crestline, he accepted a position at Berean Baptist Church in Greenwood, Indiana and served there from 1985 to 1994. Pastor Bleck also taught Bible classes at Heritage Baptist College in Indianapolis for several years. In January 1995, he moved back to Crestline with his wife, purchased their first home, and pastored Community Baptist Church and Calvary Baptist Church, filled in for area pastors, served on the board of the Richland Pregnancy Center and the North Central Ohio Baptist Fellowship, and taught an adult Sunday School class.

Throughout retirement, everyone knew he could be counted on for advice, encouragement, and prayer in time of need, spending countless hours on the phone with former church members. His ministry spanned 58 years, truly his calling in life. Pastor will most be remembered for the countless visits to hospitals from celebrating births, offering prayer before surgery, or patiently waiting and comforting a family losing a loved one, and conducted hundreds of baptisms and wedding ceremonies.

He loved fly fishing and attending his grandson’s football games, band concerts, track meets, and scouting events. He was a fan of the Cincinnati Reds and OSU football, and would strike up a conversation with anyone wearing a Red’s or OSU ball cap. Pastor Bleck was approachable, trusted, and made deep friendships throughout his journey in life.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Edna in 2009, sister Marleen Krumm in 2004, brother Dennis in 2017, and brother-in-law Herbert Krumm in 2020. He is survived by his daughter Ruthie (Joel) Connor of Shreve, grandchildren David Connor of Lewisville, Texas, Krista (Eddie) Flinner of Wooster, and Joey (Sara) Connor of Uniontown, great-grandson Caleb Connor and another on the way, sister-in-law Jean Bleck of Virginia Beach, several nieces and nephews including his closest niece Donna Krumm, home health nurse Glenda Wade, and best friend Joe Taylor.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 18th, from 3-5 pm at Roberts Funeral Home, 7067 Cleveland Rd, Wooster, OH and from 9:30 to 10:30 am Thursday, June 19th at Grace Baptist Church, 919 W. Thrush Ave, Crestline, OH, with celebration of his life and ministry beginning at 11 am with Pastor Bill Wert. Graveside service and burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery, 1119 County Line Road, Crestline. The family would like to thank his numerous friends for their outpouring of love, prayers, calls, texts, visits, and cards which meant so much to him, and the wonderful care from the staff at Richland County Veterans Service, Sycamore Run, and Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8.