Robert Leo Giesken

GLANDORF - Robert "Bob" Leo Giesken, 88, of Glandorf passed away Thursday evening, July 28, 2016 at The Meadows of Ottawa of unspecified causes. He was born April 28, 1928 in Columbus Grove to the late Lawrence "Pop" and Sophie (Kahle) Giesken. On January 7, 1954 he married the love of his life, Shirley Marie Holtgreven and they were married for 52 glorious years until her passing on December 16, 2006.

He is survived by his four children: Jacqueline (Robert) Luttfring, Michael (Debra) Giesken and Thomas (Patricia) ) Giesken all of Ottawa, and Roberta "Bobbie" Marie (Tim) Glon of Lima; eight grandchildren: Nathan (Lisa) Felkey of Glandorf, Nick Felkey of Glandorf, Tony Maher of Findlay, Kelly (Jay) Siefker of Glandorf, Brittany Giesken of Marietta, Ashley Giesken of Glandorf, Robbie Giesken of Glandorf, and Cassandra Giesken of Brentwood, TN and Harrison Stechschulte of Lima; eight great-grandchildren: Sam, Avery, and Charlie Siefker of Glandorf, Vonn and Brooke Felkey of Glandorf, and Larkin, Jett, and Neeley Felkey of Glandorf; a brother: Ken "Bud" Giesken of Baltimore, MD; and two sisters: Mary Ann Laubenthal of Glandorf and Kathleen "Kelly" Schomaeker of Ottawa. He was also preceded in death by two sisters: Sylvia Conn and Ruth Brown.

Bob attended the old Giesken School house from grades 1-2, then went on to Glandorf School from grades 3-9. He graduated from Toledo School of Tool and Die Design in 1970 and received a degree in drafting, tool and design.

Bob leaves behind the story of a full life, well lived. After his time at Glandorf schools, he left home to join the Merchant Marines at the age of 14 during WWII. Due to this experience, he was able to go around the world several times before the age of 17. After coming home after the war, he worked at the Glandorf Tile Company until  the outbreak of the Korean War in 1951. He was drafted and joined the U.S. Army in 1951 and served for 2 years until his honorable discharge in 1953. During his time of service to his country he was trained and developed a special skill as a printer. The Army utilized this skill as he became the printer of highly classified intelligence leaflets and pamphlets, many which were airlifted and dropped on the citizens of North Korea. This  was done in an attempt to win their favor and get them to give up their allegiance to the communist forces of North Korea and their resistance to the U.S. Army. During his service, he eventually was tasked with running an officers club in Tokyo, due to his experience assisting his father in running "Pop's Tavern" back home in Glandorf as a young man.       After serving the country he loved so much, he took his printing skills and went to work for the Lima News. He worked there from 1953 to 1959. In 1959 he went to work  as a truck driver for a variety of companies, including Weatherseal of Ottawa, Holtgreven Scale of Findlay, and Niese Transport, Inc of Ottawa. During this time span he was also elected Mayor of his hometown of Glandorf. He was re-elected several times during a term in office which ran from 1984 to 1996 and was mayor during the towns Sesquicentennial celebration of 1984. One of his many accomplishments while mayor was his involvement in the establishment and completion of the Glandorf Park of which he was very proud.

Bob was also a proud member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Glandorf where he was a longtime choir member. He was also a member of the Ottawa American Legion Post 63, Ottawa VFW, Celina Moose Lodge 1473, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Grand Lake Auxiliary 1291 of Celina. Robert loved cars and motorcycles. His family and friends felt he could fix anything and he often did for anyone who asked. He was a Harley man until the end, with his 1931 fully restored Harley-Davidson Motorcycle, one of his most prized possessions. He was also an avid model train enthusiast and a member of Putnam County Model Railroad Club.

Bob will not only be remembered as a man who was a friend to many, but he always had a story for anyone willing to listen. He had a unique way of making people laugh and smile. For that he will be sorely missed, but the memory of his warm personality will live on in the hearts of many.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Glandorf with Fr. Tony Fortman officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military rites by the Ottawa American Legion, VFW, and Am Vets. Visitation will be form 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, 2 to 8 p.m. on Monday at LOVE FUNERAL HOME, Ottawa where there will be a VFW Service at 7 p.m. on Monday.

Memorials may be made to Putnam County YMCA or Knapsack.

Condolences can be expressed at: www.lovefuneralhome.com.