Robert P. Spath

Robert P. Spath, 75, of Van Wert, died at 11:30 p.m. Thursday, December 15, 2011, at Van Wert Manor.

He was born August 17, 1936, in Cleveland, the son of the late John and Florence (Johnson) Spath. He married Sarah Joann (Cipolla) Spath, who survives in Van Wert.

Mr. Spath was retired from Howard Johnsons in Santa Fe, N.M. He was a veteran of the United States Army and a member of Van Wert County Council on Aging and St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Van Wert.

In addition to his wife, survivors include three children, Denise (Bill) Bamber of Hudson, Colleen Simon of North Olmstead and Robert (Sara) Spath of Van Wert; one sister, Carol Moran of Atlanta, Ga., and six grandchildren.

Two brothers, John Spath and Charles Whitehead, also preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 20, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert, with the Rev. Matt Braun officiating. Military rites will also be performed by the combined honors unit of American Legion Post 178 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803, both of Van Wert.

Calling hours are from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Van Wert Manor to purchase four iPads for speech therapy.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.alspachgearhart.com.