Robert E. Yetzer

Robert E. “Bob” Yetzer, age 92, of Mansfield, passed peacefully Saturday night, November 2, 2024 at his home.

Bob was born September 27, 1932 in Shelby to the late Urban and Hattie (Stephan) Yetzer. He attended St. Mary Elementary School and Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Shelby, graduating in 1950 from Shelby Senior High School. Beginning his work at Wilkins Air Force Depot, Bob was then drafted into the United States Army serving his country on the front lines during the Korean War rising rapidly to the rank of corporal. Following his honorable discharge, Bob returned home to Shelby upon which his dad gave him 5 days to find employment, thus returning to the Depot. As fate would have it, it was there that he met Gloria A. Baumberger who would become his beloved wife. They married February 4, 1956, together raising their family of seven children, and celebrated 38 years of marriage prior to her death on November 5, 1994.

Following the Depot, Bob worked briefly for Richland County before accepting a position with the United States Postal Service working in various roles in the Mansfield and Madison offices. He retired following many years of service in 1993. Bob was an active 60-year member of St. Mary of the Snows Catholic Church in Mansfield where he taught CCD and coached little league for many years, had served on finance council, and volunteered in various other capacities. Additionally, Bob was a member of the Mansfield Area Knights of Columbus- St Mary’s Council 4448, American Legion, Moose Lodge, and the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA)- coinciding with his years of raising rabbits.

Bob was a devoted Notre Dame fan and had enjoyed many hands of sometimes heated, but always friendly in the end, games of euchre with his brothers and family. His Labor Day parties were legendary, which always included lots of fun and games of family volleyball. And, certainly, Bob loved watching his grandchildren in all their activities.

Bob is survived by his children: Nancy Dempsey of West Chester, Matthew (Jill) Yetzer of Bowling Green, Mark (Alfretta) Yetzer of Mansfield, Cynthia (Donald) Gregg of Ringgold, GA, Melissa Yetzer of Mansfield,  Jill (Randy) Daniels of Spring Hill, TN, and Elaine (William) Simon of Cleveland; 19 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren: sister: Marge (Dick) Riley of GA; brother: Jim (Betty) Yetzer of Shelby; sister-in-law: Joan Yetzer of Shelby;  and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. In addition to his parents and beloved wife, Gloria, Bob was preceded in death by a son-in-law: Robert Dempsey; grandson: Jacob Dempsey; and siblings: Patricia (Paul) Reese, Charles (Kathe) Yetzer, Harold (Mary) Yetzer, Mary (Ray) Metzger, Thomas (Janet) Yetzer, and Richard Yetzer.

Family and friends are welcome on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 from 4-7 pm at the Penwell Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby where a rosary will be recited at the conclusion of calling hours at 7 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 10:30 am at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 29 West Street, Shelby, OH 44875. Fr. Kishore Kottana will celebrate the Mass with Fr. Chris Mileski concelebrating.  Burial will follow in Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Cemetery, Shelby where military honors will be conducted by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary of the Snows Catholic Church, 1630 Ashland Road, Mansfield, OH 44905 or Catholic Charities of Richland County, 2 Smith Avenue, Mansfield, OH 44905.

Condolences may be made on the funeral home’s website (PenwellFuneralHome.com) or their Facebook page (Facebook.com/PenwellFuneralHome).

To view Bob’s tribute vido click here: Bob’s tribute video.