Robert Dale Wilsterman II, 77, of Dennison, Ohio, passed away in Aultman Hospital at Canton, Ohio on October 18, 2024, following a period of declining health. The son of the late Robert D. Sr. and Marguerite (Spradling) Wilsterman, Bob began the great adventure of life at his birth on March 19, 1947 at Barberton, Ohio.
A 1965 graduate of Barberton High School, Bob warmly remembered what he described as the 1950’s American dream of suburban life in the industrial Akron area. His love of education and inquisitive spirit spurred him on to graduate from Ohio University’s E. W. Scripps School of Journalism in 1969. In later years, he would audit courses at Ashland University and Kent State Tuscarawas in fear that the sun would set on his special interest knowledge of The Northwest Ordinance of 1787, Ohio History, and The Truman Administration. That sun never did set, and he would have loved to tell you about it.
Professionally, Bob went on to assist in his parents’ business until its closure (Park Valley Golf Course of Uhrichsville), write (Cleveland Press, Uhrichsville Chronicle), sell (Robert D. Wilsterman Sr. Real Estate Brokerage of Uhrichsville, D&K Supply of Akron, Dover Conveyor of Midvale), and educate (Mohican Juvenile Correctional Facility, Substitute Teacher in Tuscarawas and Carroll counties).
But Bob’s story really began when he married the former Mary Jane Trexler on May 8, 1976. Together, he and Jane embarked to start a family and a farm in the hills of Mill Township (Uhrichsville) on April 1, 1978.
From that April Fool’s Day on, the joke was on the greater Tuscarawas County area as Bob’s true field was always different from his profession. His passions lay in the green pastures, woods and waters of Tuscarawas County where he kept his family close and didn’t let anyone within earshot remain a stranger. Over the years, Bob brought his trademark humor, gentle disposition, deep intellect, broad knowledge and well-meaning opinions, ideas, and projects through many doors.
Bob enjoyed crafting with Jane, winning too many AM radio trivia prizes, fishing, attending car shows, and sharing his love of poetry, history, literature and so much more with everyone who crossed his path.
In addition to his wife, Jane, Bob leaves behind him the result of his great adventure, sons, Robert L. (Carla) Wilsterman of Uhrichsville and Andrew (Kait) Wilsterman of Tuscarawas; and grandchildren, Triniti, Robert R., and Eliza. Also surviving are his sister, Carol Rennert; nieces, Melissa Cooper, Laura Pettit, Cheryl Clark, Tammy Shay, Julie Miller, Jill Sutter and their respective families; nephew, Joe Maier and his family; brother-in-law, Lawrence Trexler; life-long friend, Steve Johnson; and long-time family friend, Nathan Kinsey and his family.
In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, June and Rick Maier, and brother-in-law, Marvin Rennert.
The family will greet guests on Tuesday, October 22nd from 11am to 1pm in the R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home at Dennison. A service honoring Bob’s life will begin at 1pm with a private interment to follow.
R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home, Inc.
740.922.1970
www.lindseyfh.com
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