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Robert L. Finke April 4, 1934 - January 8, 2021

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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

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(25)

  1. REPLY
    Larry & Janice Smith says
    January 9, 2021 at 12:06 pm

    Our prayers and thoughts are with Bob’s family. He will certainly be missed! Please accept our deepest sympathy.

  2. REPLY
    Lori Garman says
    January 9, 2021 at 4:11 pm

    My heart is with you all, during this time. May God hold each and everyone of you in his arms, during this difficult. What an awesome guy. He was well loved in the community and will be missed. Hugs to all of you

  3. REPLY
    Roger and Cheryl Barlage says
    January 9, 2021 at 7:38 pm

    Finke Family- So sorry for your loss. Sending our sympathy 🙏

  4. REPLY
    Kathy Gruebmeyer says
    January 9, 2021 at 9:16 pm

    Mary, Shelly, Lisa, Staci and family. Please accept my sympathy and prayers in the loss of a great husband, father, grandfather and friend. I always enjoyed his talks and humor. Rest In Peace, Bob.

  5. REPLY
    Marcy Smith says
    January 9, 2021 at 11:55 pm

    I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. May your thoughts and memories give you joy and peace in the coming days! May he rest in Heaven!

  6. REPLY
    Ray and JoAnne says
    January 10, 2021 at 9:14 am

    So sorry for your loss. You loss must be lessened with the knowledge that Bob has transitioned to his heavenly home—now free from earth’s frailties. Ray and I always enjoyed seeing Bob and Mary at the volley ball games. After a good hand shake, a pat on the back and a smile, we would have a brief catch up. He was such a fine man. And the monthly trivia games at the American Legion, where his team always beat us. We will miss him. May your memories bring great joy.

  7. REPLY
    Keith and Nancy Brooks says
    January 10, 2021 at 9:57 am

    Mary, Shelly, Lisa, and Staci our prayers for the loss of Bob. He was a good friend in so many ways.

  8. REPLY
    keith kuenning says
    January 10, 2021 at 10:41 am

    Shelly, Lisa and Stacie, Tess, Kevin and I want to let you know how sorry we are to hear of Bob’s passing. He was one of the nicest men I have ever known. A true friend,huband, father and a great neighbor. All our love. Keith

    • REPLY
      Diane Fark Fisher says
      January 13, 2021 at 1:31 pm

      Mary, Shelly, Lisa, Stacy and families, I am so sorry for your loss. Your Dad was a great friend to my Dad. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

  9. REPLY
    Jerry Maxson says
    January 10, 2021 at 11:26 am

    I first met Bob in 1960 when I came to New Bremen as the boys basketball coach, and he became my scorekeeper. Sue and I became good friends of Bob and Mary, getting together on the weekends to play cards or go to countless New Bremen sport events. Bob probably holds the record of going to the most New Bremen basketball games.He claimed that the only ones he ever missed were when the game was on the same day that one of the girls was born. He was a great friend and will be missed.

  10. REPLY
    Howard Fark says
    January 10, 2021 at 8:04 pm

    I have been friends with Bob ever since he moved to New Bremen when we were in junior high.
    We have played a lot of basketball a d baseball in all these years. Our friendship has grown even stronger in the last few years since my wife Sally’s death. Bob made a special effort to help me
    during this time . He will be missed .

  11. REPLY
    Frank n Joanne Billerman says
    January 11, 2021 at 9:42 am

    She’ll, Stacy, and Lisa and family Sorry to hear of the passing of your father. You have No an he’s and my sympathy. We will keep you in our prayers as you negotiate this difficult time.

  12. REPLY
    Connie Steinbrunner says
    January 11, 2021 at 11:46 am

    The passing of our parent is always very sad. But he lived a long happy life and in these days of uncertainty, he is now at peace. My prayers goes out to the family that they stay safe and will also have a long wonderful life.

  13. REPLY
    Dale Schaefer says
    January 11, 2021 at 12:25 pm

    My sympathy to the family

  14. REPLY
    Alice Hartwig says
    January 11, 2021 at 5:41 pm

    Dear Finke family, When I called Bob on Christmas Eve to say Merry Christmas to him and Mary, I had no idea that it would be the last time I spoke to him. It had been my pleasure to speak to him periodically over the last several months. My sincere sympathy to you. May your memories of your dad keep him in your heart.

  15. REPLY
    Brian Rowland says
    January 12, 2021 at 2:04 pm

    To the entire Finke family you have my deepest sympathy and my prayers. Bob was a good friend with always a kind word for everyone. He will be missed.

  16. REPLY
    Janice Dorsten says
    January 12, 2021 at 6:20 pm

    Bob was a great guy. My thought are with you in this time of sorrow.

    • REPLY
      LOLLY Anderson says
      February 13, 2021 at 8:01 pm

      I am sad to hear of Bob’s passing. Met Bob and Mary at Rustic, he was always so happy to talk of his family. Prayers

  17. REPLY
    Harjeet Singh & Family says
    January 13, 2021 at 10:09 am

    Stacy, Our Prayers and Thoughts are with Finke Family . Please accept our deepest sympathy.

  18. REPLY
    Lois Hogenkamp says
    January 14, 2021 at 11:09 am

    Shelly and Lisa. You have our sympathy. Did not know your parents but understand your father was a great guy. Jay and Lois.

  19. REPLY
    Charlie Hoying says
    January 14, 2021 at 3:54 pm

    Bob was always there when I needed him. He was the hardest worker and the best friend I ever had.

  20. REPLY
    Bill Schwieterman says
    January 16, 2021 at 8:09 pm

    Shelly, Lisa and Staci: My heartfelt condolences to all of you and your families. Your father was a kind, giving man- who always in my memory had a smile on his face; and was a gentleman. You are all so lucky to have had him as a father- and I hope all the memories you have of him carry you through these difficult days and always.

  21. REPLY
    Jeff and Debbie Scheer says
    January 17, 2021 at 11:17 am

    Sending our deepest sympathy! Bob and Mary have been great neighbors. Bob stopped over often to visit and was always so friendly. He will be missed. Sending a hug. Jeff and Debbie Scheer

  22. REPLY
    Suzanne Maxson says
    January 17, 2021 at 1:36 pm

    Mary, Shelly, Lisa, Stacy and Family, Simply stated, Bob was one of my favorite people. I have so many childhood memories of fun times at “The Finkes.” When our families got together and Bob laughed, you could hear him from wherever you were and it was a great sound. When I found out some of my friends had God Fathers, and I didn’t have one and didn’t think that was fair, Bob offered to be mine. We understood there would be no gifts involved, but extra hugs were the best gifts anyway! Through the years, whenever I came home, my visit was even better if I got to see Bob at the Coffee Shop or one of the games. I just loved the guy. New Bremen won’t be the same without Bob Finke. Sending hugs and love to all of you.

  23. REPLY
    Jean and Frank Kuenning says
    January 17, 2021 at 2:28 pm

    We are sorry for your loss. Really will miss having visits with him . He was a good friend and neighbor. Prayers for all of you at this time.

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