ROBERT L. “BOB” FINKE, age 86
of New Bremen, died on Friday, January 8, 2021, at 7:25 A.M. at the Elmwood Assisted Living in New Bremen, where he and Mary had been residing for the past few months. He was born on April 4, 1934, in St. Marys, the son of the late Ferd B. and Ona W. (Kawell) Finke. On June 4, 1955, he married Mary M. Holdren at St. Paul Church in New Bremen, and she survives at Elmwood. Also surviving are his daughters Shelly Finke, Lisa Thobe, and Staci (Gary) Jones all of New Bremen; his grandchildren Ben (Allison) Thobe, Lindsay Thobe, Taylor (Troy) Williams, Karli (Bennett) Staton and Paige Jones; and his great-grandchildren Tyson and Donovan Thobe and Miles Williams. Along with his parents, Bob was preceded in death by a son in-law Gregg Thobe and his siblings Paul Finke and Margaret Beverly.
Bob was a 1952 graduate of New Bremen High School and was a long-time member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in New Bremen. He was a dedicated employee of the Minster Machine Company for 47 years, working in the woodshop as a pattern maker. His woodworking skills also carried over into his personal life. He always said he could make anything – as long as he had a pattern. He had a love of sports, especially baseball. He was proud of his years playing softball for the Bill’s Fleetwing team. He was a big time Cincinnati Reds fan as well as a New Bremen Cardinal fan attending countless sporting events over the years with Mary at his side and a bag of popcorn in hand. He was especially proud of his grandchildren and their accomplishments at school. He enjoyed traveling with this family to many different cities and spending time with his card club and Saturday night club friends.
Memorial Services will be held at Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen on Sunday, January 17, 2021, beginning at 3:00 P.M. The services will be live-streamed on the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home Facebook page, and also on the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home YouTube Channel. Calling Hours will be held prior to the services at the funeral home from 2:00 until 3:00 P.M. Inurnment will take place in the German Protestant Cemetery in New Bremen at a later date. Memorial Contributions in memory of Bob can be made to the New Bremen Athletic Boosters (901 E. Monroe Street, New Bremen, Ohio 45869). Condolences to the family can be left online at www.gilberghartwigfh.com