The family sadly announces the sudden passing of Robert “Bob” Kellner, 90, of Rainy River, Ont., at his residence on Tuesday March 1, 2016 with his wife, Helen, by his side.
Bob was born Jan. 15, 1926 in Zeneta, Sask. to Joseph and Catherine Kellner.
Bob served with the Royal Canadian Artillery in Italy during WWII. After his discharge from the military in 1945, Bob starting working at various jobs before joining the OPP in 1951.
He was stationed in Kenora, Dryden, Atikokan, Ignace, Central Patricia, Emo, and finally Rainy River, where he retired in 1984 after 33 years of service.
While stationed in Dryden, he met his future wife, Helen Scheibler, resulting in 62 years of marriage and three sons.
Bob was not an idle man. He obtained his private pilot’s licence, rebuilt an Areonca Chief aircraft, and refurbished two cars: a VW Karmann Ghia and an MG.
Together with Helen, he completed extensive renovations to three homes, including a cottage on Lake of the Woods. They also travelled to Europe a number of times.
During all this, Bob found time to fix the lawn mower, the snow blower, and any appliance that quit working. During retirement, he also took numerous university courses and still found time to do volunteer work.
Bob will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Helen; sons, Garry (Patti), Harvey (Eileen), and Steven (Sandra); and grandchildren, Diana, Richard (Katelyn), Katherine (Kenneth), Nadine (Adam), and Shannon.
He also is survived by his brother, Wilmer (Jessie); sisters-in-law, Fran Kellner, Marian Ingebrigtsen (Harold), and Janet Scheibler (Doug); brother-in-law, Fred Scheibler (Donna); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bob was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Catherine Kellner; brothers, Ralph and Tony in World War II, and George and Charlie; sisters, Isabel, Alice, and Kay; father- and mother-in-law, Emil and Annie Scheibler; brothers-in-law, Victor Scheibler, Paul Allen, Keith Shier, Ben Dutton, and Lawrence Haubrich; and niece, Lori Allen VanBerlo.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be held Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Knox United Church in Rainy River, with Rev. Frances Flook officiating.
Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Rainy River.
If desired, in memoriam donations may be made to the Rainy River Chapter of Meals on Wheels or the Rainy River Hospital Auxiliary c/o Northridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 89, Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0.