Roberta Jeanette Hitchcock

On Saturday, April 11, 2015, Roberta Jeanette Hitchcock, a lifelong resident of Van Wert County, passed away at Otterbein Senior Living Community in Cridersville at the age of 89.

She lived on the family farm near Middle Point until recently.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Victor Ulysses Hitchcock; parents John W. and Lula (Martin) Bowersock of Wetzel; parents-in-law Roy C. and Laura Hitchcock; four brothers, Burnell, Burdette, Virgil and Lloyd Bowersock; and a son-in-law, John B. Welker.

She is survived by three children, Suzanne (Rick Witham) Welker of Circleville, Stan (Kathie) Hitchcock of St. Marys and Vickie (Robert) Anderson of Glastonbury, Connecticut; seven grandchildren, Tom (Heather) Hitchcock of Celina, Amanda (Charlie Meser) Welker of Portland, Oregon, Brian (Tamara Malecki) Hitchcock of Middle Point, Gretchen (Dan) Dorsey of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ashley (Jeff) Corn of Denver, Colorado, Brad Anderson of Washington, D.C., and Alex Anderson of Denver; seven great-grandchildren, Cole and Ellie Hitchcock, Ian Meser, Morgan, Maya and Nolan Dorsey, Keaton Salyers and Hunter Hitchcock; two sisters-in-law, Helen Bowersock and Jaunema Hitchcock; and a brother-in-law, Clarence Ringwald.

Roberta was a farm wife, community and church volunteer, teaching assistant, friend, loving mother and grandmother. She served as vice president of the Hoaglin-Jackson Sunrise Club, was a member of Grace Church, and, most recently, Zion Christian Union Church.

She retired after a 20-year career as a paraprofessional/teacher’s assistant for the Severe Behavioral Handicapped program in the Van Wert County schools.

In 1990, she was selected as “Paraprofessional of the Year” by the Ohio Council of Children with Behavioral Disorders for “providing encouragement, consistency and enthusiasm for the program.”

Roberta was known for providing encouragement in all aspects of her life. Her warm smile, easy laugh and interest in others inspired those around her to use their talents.

Roberta’s greatest joys were her family and friends. She loved keeping in touch with friends, entertaining, cooking, baking, crafting, and traveling to visit family.  Throughout the years, she created cherished experiences with children and grandchildren near and far.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 15, at Zion Christian Union Church on Converse-Roselm Road.

Calling hours are from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert.

Preferred memorials: Otterbein Senior Living Community Assisted Living.

Condolences may be expressed at www.alspachgearhart.com.