Robert Dean Thomas

Robert Dean “Bob” Thomas, 82, of Convoy, died at 4:45 a.m. Friday, October 9, 2015, at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

He was born November 14, 1932, in Van Wert, the son of Forest Thomas and Violet (Brotherwood) Heath, who both preceded him in death. On March 25, 1951, he married Joann (Bebout) Thomas, who survives in Convoy.

Other survivors include three daughters, Joellen (Michael) McGinnis, Linda (Michael) Clay and Sandy (Terry) Hartman, all of Convoy; a brother, Don (Mary Ellen) Thomas of Van Wert; seven grandchildren, Kimberly (Rob Hughes) McGinnis, John (Emily Banks) McGinnis, Shannon Hartman, Nathan (Sandy) Clay, Cassidy (Rusty Taylor) Hartman, Courtney Hartman and Ian Clay; and seven great-grandchildren, Korbin Hartman, Hannah Binnion, Addison and Ayla Hartman, Levi Thomas Hughes, Kerric Hartman and Able Mohr.

A brother; one sister; and two grandchildren, Kelli McGinnis and Kodi Hartman, also preceded him in death.

He was a department head for International Harvester for 23 years, was the owner of B & K Drive-In for seven years and was a custodian at the Van Wert County Courthouse for five years. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Van Wert, was a U.S. Navy veteran who served during the Korean Conflict, was a boxer in his younger days, a former exalted ruler for Elks Lodge 1197 in Van Wert, was a member of Van Wert Lodge 218, Free & Accepted Masons; Shriners International; and belonged to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803 and American Legion Post 178, both in Van Wert.

He enjoyed wintering in Florida for many years.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 13, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert, with Pastor Gus Christo-Baker officiating.

Calling hours are from 5-8 p.m. Monday, October 12, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials: Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation, Memorial Donations, P.O. Box 824061, Philadelphia, PA 19182-4661 or www.oif.org.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.alspachgearhart.com.