Monday, July 24th, 2006
Ed Bollenbacher
Ed Bollenbacher, 76, 2560 Oregon Road, Rockford, died at 7:30 a.m. July 22, 2006, at Van Wert County Hospital.
He was born May 20, 1930, in Liberty Township, to Thedore and Minnie Brehm Bollenbacher. In September 1950, he married Kody Erl Wisenborn, who died Aug. 3, 1980. On Nov. 20, 1981, he married Joan Moeller, who survives.
Also surviving are a son, Bruce, Rockford; two daughters, BethAnne (Gary) Eikenberry, Union City, and Becky Jo (Bob) Shope, Rockford; three stepsons, Brad (Patty) James, Toledo, Bruce (Mary) James, Celina, and Brian James, Wilmington; a brother, John Jr., Willshire; a daughter-in-law, Beverly Kuck, New Bremen; a brother-in-law, Robert Wisenborn, Celina; eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and four stepgrandchildren.
Deceased are a son, Barry; a sister, Leola Doner; and a grandchild.
He was a farmer and 1948 graduate of Rockford High School. He was a basketball and football referee for 38 years. He was director of the Mercer County Board of Elections for 14 years. He served two terms on the Wabash Mutual Telephone Company board of directors. He was commissioner of the ACME baseball League for 20 years and was inducted into its Congress Hall of Fame in 2005.
He was president of PERS since 2006 and a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Rockford; Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 1473, Celina; and Mercer County Democratic Party.
He was a member of Fraternal Order of Eagles Shanes Aerie 1292, Rockford; Ohio State Aerie Hall of Fame; and Grand Aerie Hall of Fame. He was president of Ohio State Aerie Eagles in 1987; Grand Worthy President of Franternal Order of Eagles in 2001; and chairman of Eagle Village and Memorial Fund Foundation.
Services are 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church, the Rev. Jerry Flueckiger officiating. Burial is at the church cemetery.
Calling is 2-8 p.m. Tuesday at Cisco Funeral Home, Celina, and after 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Fraternal Order of Eagles' rites are 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Contributions can be made to the church or Ohio State Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Fund.