Roger Bambauer

NEW KNOXVILLE — Roger L. Bambauer, 80, of New Knoxville, passed away on May 6, 2015, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born April 19, 1935, in Shelby County, to Robert and Ruth (Settlage) Bambauer.

Roger was a 1953 graduate of New Knoxville High School. On April 1, 1956, he was married to Carolyn Leffel at the United Methodist Church in New Knoxville, and she survives at the residence.

He is survived by his children, Cindy (Fred) Wierwille, of New Knoxville, Bruce (Peg) Bambauer, of New Knoxville, David (Judy) Bambauer, of New Knoxville, Diane (Bill) Piehl, of New Knoxville, and Joann (Jill Shaffner) Bambauer, of Centerville, Ohio.

He is survived by a daughter-in-law, Cindy Bambauer, of Cincinnati, and by 14 grandchildren, Matt (Cheryl) Bambauer, Mitch (Lucy) Bambauer, Melissa ( Dusty) Knapke, Becky Wierwille, Katie (Nathan) Roddy, Kale Wierwille, Abby (Rick) Homan, Hannah Bambauer, Brad (Laura) Piehl, Lauren Piehl, Chloe Bambauer, Jake Bambauer, Maddie Bambauer and Peyton Bambauer.

He is survived by nine great-grandchildren, Emily, Brent, Molly, Ruth, Esther, Kara, Kurtis, Luke and Roan. He is survived by his siblings, Wayne (Nancy) Bambauer, Mary (Dean) Deerhake, Barb (Tom) Waggoner and Sue Murphy.

He was preceded in death by his parents; by his youngest son, Steve Bambauer, who died May 5, 2014; by a sister, Wanda.

Roger was a lifelong member of the United Church of Christ in New Knoxville, where he served as Sunday School Superintendent, Elder and Deacon. He was a member of the New Knoxville Gun Club, Wapak Eagles, Brandt Lake Fishing Club, Auglaize County Junior Fair Boosters and New Knoxville Athletic Boosters. He was chairman of the Fair Project 79, and in 1981, he was awarded the Friend of 4-H Award. He enjoyed being a regular at Main Street Station round table coffee group.

In 1956, Roger and his father Robert founded Bambauer Fertilizer and Seed. They were the first to introduce Hybrid seed corn and Agrico fertilizer products. The business continued to grow, and expanded to Pemberton, Ohio, in 1963, partnering with Richard Bambauer. A grain operation was added to the New Knoxville plant in 1976. Another plant was started in Jackson Center in 2000. Today the business is run by his sons Bruce and David, and several grandchildren, now in its fourth generation.

In his younger years Roger enjoyed playing City League Basketball, bowling, playing cards and many family vacations to Rice Lake, Canada. He also enjoyed traveling to Florida and the western states in his motor home.

Roger was a loving husband and father. He spent countless hours helping his kids with 4-H projects, sporting events and school activities. He later did the same with his grandchildren as a loving grandfather. He loved basketball and especially looked forward to Ranger games, watching his grandsons play. The New Knoxville Ranger Boys' Basketball State Championship run in 2008 was at the top of his list for good times.

He meant a lot to his grandchildren and great-grandkids. PaPa Roger will be dearly missed by all.

Funeral rites will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 11, 2015, at the First Church of New Knoxville, the Rev. Beth Ernest and the Rev. Dennis Gaertner, officiants. Burial will follow at Pilger Ruhe Cemetery, New Knoxville.

Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 10, 2015, in the Ministry Center of the First Church of New Knoxville, where memorial gifts, in lieu of flowers, may be given to either Grand Lake Hospice, New Knoxville United Methodist Church or the Radio Broadcast Fund of the First Church of New Knoxville. Condolences may be sent to Roger's family via Millerfuneralhomes.net

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Vornholt-Miller Funeral Home, 200 W. Spring St., New Knoxville.