Robert A. Hemmelgarn

Robert A. Hemmelgarn, age 86 of Burkettsville, passed peacefully on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at Briarwoood Village in Coldwater.

Bob was born on July 16, 1937, in Burkettsville to the late Henry D. & Martha A. (Weitzel) Hemmelgarn.  He married his wife, Betty Lou (Miller) Hemmelgarn on October 1, 1960.  Bob and Betty were married for over 63 years, and she survives in Burkettsville.  Bob is also survived by five of their children: David & Julie Hemmelgarn of Spencerville, Deborah & Jack Rutschilling of Coldwater, Dwayne & Ann Hemmelgarn of Coldwater, Douglas & Shelly Hemmelgarn of Burkettsville, and Daniel & Jesica Hemmelgarn of Burkettsville.  Also surviving are 16 grandchildren: Jason, Josh, Megan, Taylor, Jeff, Andy, Nikki, Kristen, Nathan, Collin, Olivia, Lauren, Lydia, Abby, Sara, and Luke, and 18 great grandchildren.

Surviving siblings and in-laws include Anna Lee & Ralph Dahlinghaus of Burkettsville, Philip & Dana Hemmelgarn of Bradford, Dennis Hemmelgarn of Burkettsville, James & Joyce Hemmelgarn of Russia, Susan & Randy Luttmer of St. Henry, Howard & Jeannette Osterholt of St. Henry, Arleen Miller of New Corydon, IN, Gerald & Helen Miller of Decatur, IN, Imogene Wilder of Decatur, IN, Ann Miller of Ft. Wayne, Thomas Miller of Montpelier, Donald & Mary Miller of St. Henry, and Marcia Miller of Coldwater.

In addition to his parents, Bob is preceded in death by a son, Donald Hemmelgarn, a grandson Eric Rutschilling, his father & mother-in-law William & Olivia Miller, as well as siblings and in-laws: Betty Osterholt, Kathy Hemmelgarn, Gerald Miller, Richard & Viola Miller, Mary Ann Miller, James Wilder, James Miller, and Mark Miller.

Bob was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church in Burkettsville.  He served his country in the U.S. Army and continued that spirit of serving by being on the town council and with the Burkettsville Fire Department.  Bob retired from the former Huffy Bicycle factory in Celina.  In his retirement Bob enjoyed reading, playing cards, and assembling puzzles.  He also worked part time at Eldora Speedway and loved doing woodworking and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am on Monday, January 29, 2024, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Burkettsville.  Burial in St. Bernard Cemetery will follow the funeral mass.  Relatives and friends are welcome to call from 1-5pm on Sunday, January 28, and from 9-10am on Monday, at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in St. Henry.   Memorial contributions may be made to EverHeart Hospice or the St. Bernard Church Improvement Fund in Burkettsville.  Condolences for the family may be expressed in person or at hogenkampfh.com