Robert J. "Bob" Kelbley, 86, of New Riegel, passed away on Friday, December 15, 2023, at Good Shepherd Home, Fostoria.

He was born on March 19, 1937, in Seneca County, Ohio, to Florian J. and Oleta M. (Theis) Kelbley.  On June 18, 1960, in St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Frenchtown, he married Rita Mae Arbogast.

Survivors include his wife, Rita Mae Kelbley of New Riegel; daughter, Deborah L. Salyer of Upper Sandusky; son, Lynn E (Rebecca) Kelbley of New Riegel; Neil (Brenda) Kelbley of McCutchenville; brother, Edward L. (Diane) Kelbley of New Riegel; 11 grandchildren; Ashley McKinney, Andrew Kelbley, Charles Kelbley, Brian Kelbley, Amanda Bare, Angela Fout, Lee Kelbley, Dr. Paula Kelbley, Loretta Lichter, Austin Kelbley, Wesley Salyer, and 24 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son Jeffery R. Kelbley; infant daughter, Pamela Jane Kelbley; sister, Mary Lou Frey; and brother in law, Robert F. Frey.

Bob was a member of All Saints Parish and a 1955 graduate of Tiffin Calvert High School.  He was in the United States Army from 1956-1958, serving in Germany.  He started working for the family at Kelbley Garage in New Riegel, he was a bus driver for New Riegel Schools, worked at Ex-cello / Airfoil Textron in Fostoria as a machine repairman for 30 years and Q.C. Diversitool as an assembler before retiring.  He was a member of the New Riegel Moose #872, Knights of Columbus #10749, past officer for the Holy Name Society, volunteered for the Seneca County Board of Elections.  Bob retired from the New Riegel Fire Department after 40 years where he served 5 years as the Chief.

Bob and Rita Mae enjoyed vacationing, visiting Alaska and Hawaii twice, going on cruises, and camping.  Bob loved woodworking and loved to tinker with everything, there was nothing he would not try to fix.

His Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at All Saints Parish, New Riegel, with Rev. Timothy Kummerer officiating. Burial will follow in St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors being conducted by the New Riegel American Legion. Following the burial and military honors, there will be a funeral luncheon at the New Riegel American Legion.

Friends may visit with the family from 3:00-8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home & Crematory, 236 S. Washington St., Tiffin, Ohio 44883, (419) 447-2424 and on Thursday one hour prior to Mass at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to All Saints Parish, FACT or to No One Fights Alone

Condolences may be sent and the guestbook signed at  www.hgmackfuneralhome.com