Robert J. "Bob" Kelbley

1937 - 2023

Robert J. "Bob" Kelbley

Robert J. "Bob" Kelbley, 86, of New Riegel, passed away Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, at Good Shepherd Home, Fostoria.

He was born March 19, 1937, in Seneca County, to Florian J. and Oleta M. (Theis) Kelbley. He married Rita Mae Arbogast on June 18, 1960, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Frenchtown.

Bob's survivors include his wife, Rita Mae Kelbley of New Riegel; daughter, Deborah L. Salyer of Upper Sandusky; son, Lynn E (Rebecca) Kelbley of New Riegel; Neil (Brenda) Kelbley of McCutchenville; brother, Edward L. (Diane) Kelbley of New Riegel; 11 grandchildren, Ashley McKinney, Andrew Kelbley, Charles Kelbley, Brian Kelbley, Amanda Bare, Angela Fout, Lee Kelbley, Dr. Paula Kelbley, Loretta Lichter, Austin Kelbley, and Wesley Salyer; and 24 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Jeffery R. Kelbley; infant daughter, Pamela Jane Kelbley; sister, Mary Lou Frey; and brother-in-law, Robert F. Frey.

Bob was a member of All Saints Parish and 1955 graduate of Tiffin Calvert High School. He was in U.S. Army from 1956-1958, serving in Germany. He started working for the family at Kelbley Garage in New Riegel. He was a bus driver for New Riegel Schools and worked at Ex-cello / Airfoil Textron in Fostoria as a machine repairman for 30 years and Q.C. Diversitool as an assembler before retiring. He was a member of New Riegel Moose #872, Knights of Columbus #10749, past officer for the Holy Name Society, and volunteered for Seneca County Board of Elections. Bob retired from New Riegel Fire Department after 40 years where he served five years as the Chief.

Bob and Rita Mae enjoyed vacationing, visiting Alaska and Hawaii twice, going on cruises, and camping. Bob loved woodworking and loved to tinker with everything. There was nothing he would not try to fix.

Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, at All Saints Parish, New Riegel, with the Rev. Timothy Kummerer officiating. Burial will follow at St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery with military honors being conducted by New Riegel American Legion. Following the burial and military honors, there will be a funeral luncheon at New Riegel American Legion.

Visitation for friends and family will be 3-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, at Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home & Crematory, 236 S. Washington St., Tiffin, Ohio, 44883, (419) 447-2424, and 10-11 a.m. Thursday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to All Saints Parish, FACT, or No One Fights Alone.

Condolences may be sent and the guestbook signed at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com.