Robert L. "Bob" Wohlever Jr.

June 9, 1932 - July 13, 2010
NOTRE DAME - Robert L. "Bob" Wohlever Jr., a man who put God and his family first, and always had a song in his heart, entered this world on a beautiful note on June 9, 1932, in Amherst Hospital. St. Joseph, the patron saint of families, became intertwined with Bob's life, starting at an early age. His younger years were spent attending St. Joseph elementary school and church where his strong faith was born as an altar boy. His high school years were spent at Amherst High School. During his time there, his love for people and social involvement bloomed. Bob played football, ran track, and served as president of his junior class. He was a member of the Drama, French and Latin clubs, Boys State, and various other activities before graduating in 1950. Showing his love and devotion to our country, he served in the Naval Air Force from 1951 to 1955 during the Korean War. Emerging as a leader among his peers, Bob was an instructor at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he taught Instrumental flying and other flying-related courses. While his professional life was flying high, his love life truly began to soar when he met the woman who would change his life, Margaret Susko. The courtship began after Bob took a job at the Thew Shovel Co. following his time in the military, where he excelled as an Export Manager. Bob and Margaret were married in 1958 in South Amherst and started a life together in Lorain, Ohio. Out of their love, five children, Kevin, Terry, Roberta, Rebecca and Timothy, were born at St. Joseph Hospital between 1960 and 1968. While raising his young family, Bob flourished as a salesman for several prestigious companies including Atlantic Container Lines, French Lines, Japan Lines, and many others. All the while, he still made time for one of his passions, performing on stage. He was an active member of the Workshop Players where he sang, danced and played the lead in several productions. His service to the church was also never far from his heart. He was a Lector, Lay Minister and served on the Parish Council at all of the churches he attended throughout the years. In his spare time, he loved volunteering as a Boy Scout leader, fishing, photography, good music, gardening, camping, sports, and tooling leather. Many of Bob's leather artistries were distributed worldwide. In his later years, he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. At 78 years old, Bob passed away on July 13th surrounded by his loving family at his home in Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame. To quote one of his favorite movies, The Sound of Music, "When the Lord closes a door, somewhere he opens a window." On that day, a window was opened for Bob in heaven. While his song may have ended here on Earth, it will always play on in the hearts and memories of those who loved him. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Margaret Francis; his parents, Robert and Myrtle Wohlever; his brother, Dennis (Skip) Wohlever, and his sister, Barbara Wohlever. Survivors include sons, Kevin Lee (Barbara), Terrence Alan and Timothy David (Tami) Wohlever; daughters, Roberta Lynne (Bradley) White and Rebecca Ann (David) Krueger; and sisters, Patricia Phillips and Carol Dostall; along with eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Two separate services will be held for Bob, one in Indiana and the other in Ohio. On Thursday, July 15th, a mass celebrating Bob's life will be held at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Granger, Indiana. It will begin at 11 a.m., with a visitation in the church one hour prior to the Mass. The family will receive friends at Hempel Funeral Home at 373 Cleveland Avenue in Amherst, Ohio, on Friday, July 16th, from 4 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday, July 17th, from 9 to 10 a.m. A funeral Mass for Bob will be held Saturday in St. Joseph Church at 200 St. Joseph Drive in Amherst, beginning at 10:30 a.m. He will be laid to rest at St. Joseph Cemetery immediately following the service. Please send donations to St. Pius X Catholic Church, to the American Cancer Society, or to Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame. McGann Hay and Hemple Funeral Homes are handling the arrangements.