Robert O. Lybarger

Robert O. Lybarger, 85, of Van Wert, died at 4:20 p.m. Monday, May 18, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as a result of injuries suffered in an accident.

He was born October 2, 1929, in Van Wert, the son of Albert and Agnes (Bigelow) Lybarger, who both preceded him in death. On July 25, 1959, he married Martha Jean (Zinn) Lybarger, who died August 27, 2003.

Survivors include four children, Suzanne (Joe) Wegmiller of Statesville, North Carolina, Nancy (Don) Fiegel of New Knoxville, Tom (Wendy) Lybarger of Athens and Larry (Deana) Lybarger of Cocoa Beach, Florida; seven grandchildren, Emma Wegmiller, Marlee Wegmiller, Zaine (Laura) Fiegel, Riese Fiegel, Frank (Jessica) Hathaway, Pam Lybarger and Brad (Kori) Lybarger; four great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Carla Miller of Van Wert and Shirley Thompson of Ansonia.

A brother, Gordon Lybarger, also preceded him in death.

Bob was a retired educator, having begun his career as an industrial arts teacher at Ottawa, then served as superintendent of the former Ohio City-Liberty School District. He joined the Van Wert City School District as principal at what was then Jefferson Elementary School and Pleasant Elementary School.

He was a graduate of the former Union High School, then earned his undergraduate degree from Bowling Green State University, and a master’s degree from The Ohio State University.

He was an active member for 60-plus years of Pleasant Chapel United Methodist Church in Van Wert County and was very active in the Van Wert County Council on Aging and Van Wert County Historical Society. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and a member of American Legion Post 178 in Van Wert.

He also drove for the American Red Cross and was an avid Detroit Tigers and OSU football fan, in addition to liking all sporting events.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 23, at Brickner Funeral Home, with the Rev. Ron Lumm officiating. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert, with graveside military honors rendered by combined units of Legion Post 178 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803 of Van Wert.

Calling hours are from 2-6 p.m. Friday, May 22, and an hour prior to services Saturday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials: Van Wert Senior Citizen Center (Council on Aging), Van Wert County Historical Society or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.bricknerfuneralhome.com or emailed to bricknerfuneralhome@bright.net.