Robert Paul Hershey, 89, of Fremont, passed away after a brief stay at Elmwood Assisted Living on Wednesday, September 5, 2018. He was born the son of Willard V. Hershey, Sr. and Corinne (Fox) Hershey on April 28, 1929 in Fremont, Ohio. Bob graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1947, and enrolled in business courses at Xavier University. He was a Screaming Eagle in the 101st Airborne Division, serving from 1951 to 1953, and was stationed in Korea and Germany. Later, Bob worked in the family business at W.V. Hershey & Sons Cutlery until 1972, and then started Hershey Flowers, which he co-owned with his wife, Madelene “Maggie” Hershey. Bob and Maggie were married on January 23, 1954 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, and they spent 63 wonderful years together until her passing on November 9, 2017. After his retirement from the flower shop, Bob started working at the Croghan Colonial Bank as a bank courier until he truly retired at the age of 85. Bob was a dedicated volunteer and a behind-the-scenes man that held the stitching together for the many projects he was involved in. Although he never played sports, he landed a spot in the St. Joseph Hall of Fame for a lifetime of service and for acting as the Secretary of the SJCC Booster Club, of which he was a member. Bob was also a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, where he sang in the men’s ,and later the honor choir for over 60 years, and was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He was at one time the youngest Grand Knight Council 591 member in Ohio, serving at 20 years of age.
Bob was as a man of very few words, mostly because he couldn’t get a word in edgewise when Maggie was around. But, when he did speak, he was known to give witty one-liners. He loved to eat, especially dessert, and was known to “have a little sliver of each”. Bob was also fond of the occasional Manhattan, which he called “silly-willies”. When he wasn’t volunteering, he and Maggie would participate in the Gourmet Club, and take the family on vacation to the Outer Banks, NC. He also survived 6 near death experiences on trips he took with Maggie and her sister, Bernie, to Florida. Although he was many things to many people, Bob will always be Maggie’s special SOB (Sweet Old Bob), “Boo Bear” to his grandchildren, and remembered for his infectious “hee-hee” laughter.
Left to cherish his memory are children: Sharri (Rex) Durdel of Twinsburg, OH; Sandy (Jerry) Yeager of Sylvania, OH; Joe (Linda) Hershey of Fremont, OH; Jerry (Kathy) Hershey of Hope, IN; Amy (Mark) LeJeune of Fremont, OH; Andy (Lynette) Hershey of Helena, OH; grandchildren: Chelsea (Rob) Roidt, Cassie (Michael) Harhager, Callie (Fiance, Zach Overturf) Durdel, Meghan Yeager, Drs. Kyle and Christine Yeager, Brad (Stephanie) Hershey; Paul Hershey, Matt (Stephanie) Hershey; Jeff Hershey, Moira Hershey, Jensen LeJeune, Emma Hershey, Grant Hershey, Sam Hershey and Tyler Schooley; great –granddaughters Charlie and Maggie Roidt, great-grandson, J.J. Hershey, and special neighbors; Newbie and Deb. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife; Madelene Hershey, siblings; Willard V. Hershey, Jr., Mary Collins, Richard Hershey and Anna “Kay” Werner.
The family would also like to express their gratitude for the staff of Elmwood Assisted Living and ProMedica Hospice for their care of Bob.
Visitation will take place on Monday, September 10, 2018 from 2-4 & 5 -7, with a vigil beginning at 6:30pm at Keller-Koch-Chudzinski Funeral Home, 416 S. Arch Street, Fremont, Ohio, 43420. A Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 10:00am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 709 Croghan Street, Fremont, Ohio, 43420. Rev. Michael Roemmele will be officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the VFW and American Legion.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the SJCC Booster Club or St. Joseph Catholic Church.
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