Robert J. "Bob" Holdgreve

Robert J. ‘Bob’ Holdgreve, age 93, of Delphos, passed away Sunday morning, March 26, 2023, at Vancrest of Delphos. He was born on July 3, 1929, in Delphos to Carl and Mildred (Kimmet) Holdgreve who both preceded him in death. On September 14, 1957, he married Donna (Vonderembse) Holdgreve who preceded him in death October 26, 2017.

Bob is survived by his daughters, Cindy (Matt) Kostoff and Maria Powley both of Ft. Wayne, Indiana and Christina (Scott) Elwer of Delphos; seven grandchildren, Brian Kostoff of Indianapolis, Lindsay (Chris) Altena of Ft. Wayne, Allie (Payton) Selking of Decatur, Zachary Powley of Ft. Wayne, Troy (Allie Buettner) Elwer, Hannah and Halle Elwer all of Delphos; and a great-granddaughter, Emmy Altena, the light of his life. He is also survived by two brothers, John (Pat) Holdgreve of Delphos and Irvin (Jan) Holdgreve of White Hall, MI; two sisters-in-law, Norma Vonderembse of Delphos and Georgine Vonderembse of Lima. He is preceded in death by a son-in-law, David Powley; a brother Ralph Holdgreve; and two sisters and their husbands, Ann (Richard) Schwinnen and Louise (John) McRedmond.

Bob attended the Will’s one room school house for the first and second grade. When it closed, he went on and attended Delphos St. John’s School. He was chief boiler operator at Borden’s Cheese plant in Van Wert for 24 years until it closed. He then went to work at I & K Distributors in maintenance until he retired.  He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and was a lifelong Blue Jay fan. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1362, Delphos and the Delphos Canal Commission. Bob enjoyed genealogy and was very much involved with local history serving as past president of the Delphos Historical Society. For many years he wrote a historical column for the Delphos Herald titled “Windows to the Past”. He also enjoyed woodworking, traveling, and camping.

A funeral mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2023 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Rev. Dennis Walsh officiating. Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 3:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, with a parish wake service to be held at 7:45 p.m.; and one hour prior to the mass on Thursday at Weber Funeral Home, 1840 E. Fifth Street, Delphos. Memorial contributions made be made to St. John’s Teachers Endowment Fund or The Delphos Canal Commission. Online condolences may be shared at www.weberfh.net.