ROBERT J. “Bob” BALLWEG, age 93,
Of Elmwood Assisted Living in New Bremen, and formerly of New Knoxville, died on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 11:55 A.M. at the St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima. He was born on September 19, 1930 in Fryburg, the son of the late Edward P. and Minnie V. (Townsend) Ballweg. On November 17, 1956, he married Esther C. Wenning who survives in New Bremen. Together they shared 67 wonderful years. Also left to cherish his memory are his children: David (Cindy) Ballewg of New Knoxville, Debra Ballweg of Las Vegas, NV, and Douglas Ballweg of New Knoxville; his three grandsons: Greg Ballweg, Quincy (Tiffany) Ballweg, and Brandon (Katie) Ballweg; as well as his five great-grandchildren: Skyler, Myra, Kailyn, Bentley, and Andrea. Robert also leaves behind a brother Eugene (Jane) Ballweg of Chickasaw. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings: Lahoma (Leroy) Egbert, Treva (Tony) Pietrzak, Melba (Aloysius) Tangeman, and Cletus (Pauline) Ballweg.
Bob had attended New Knoxville Schools, and was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Botkins. He was a hard-working, “workaholic” dairy farmer for his entire life, and was proud of his registered Holstein cows on his family farm, Ballweg Farms. As a member of the Auglaize Farm Bureau, the National Holstein Association and the Ohio Holstein Association, the farm won multiple awards over the years including several awards for high yields in milk production. Bob was also an engineer of sorts – designing, welding, and building much of his own equipment and machinery on the farm over the years. Outside of farming, Bob enjoyed riding his motorcycle when he was younger, and took up walking and bike riding in later years. He also enjoyed when the family was all together at the farm for family gatherings and he and Esther took several cruises and trips to Las Vegas. The highlight of Bob’s “retirement” at age 70, was designing and building his own ultralight plane with the help of his family, and he loved to spend time flying around the area.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 10:30 A.M. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Botkins, with Rev. Fr. Michael Willig officiating. Interment will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Botkins. Calling Hours will be held on Monday, August 19, 2024 from 4:00 until 7:00 P.M. at the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen, and again on Tuesday, at the funeral home, prior to the Mass from 9:00 until 10:00 A.M. (Handicap parking and an entrance with no steps is available on the South side of the building). Memorial contributions in memory of Bob can be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (116 N. Mill Street, Botkins, Ohio 45306). Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories and condolences can be shared with the family on the funeral home website: www.gilberghartwigfh.com.