Robert Charles “Bob” Niese, age 85, of Shelby, passed peacefully Thursday, November 7, 2024 at The Willows at Willard. Bob’s death follows a 15-month battle with cancer.
Bob was born July 30, 1939 in Leipsic, Putnam County, Ohio, the son of the late Waldo and Cecilia (Rieman) Niese. Attending both Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School and Tiro High School, Bob then served in the Ohio Army National Guard for six years.
Bob was a proud lifelong farmer, farming on his homestead farm west of Shelby which was started in the 1960s- now R&R Niese Farms. Since coming from Putnam County, Bob belonged to Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church and always said, “God’s crops will always be great in the eye of the church steeple.” Bob’s second career began in 1974 when he started Crawford Drainage Company, LTD. Since its inception, he has been tiling for many local farmers. It pleased him to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the company this past March alongside his family and many faithful employees and friends. Family, farming, and church were his life.
Family meant so much to Bob. He thoroughly enjoyed getting up each morning and getting to farm with his son, Roger, and grandson, Owen. Later, his son, Ken, teamed up with him to help operate the drainage company. He also had many great memories attending farm shows with his brother, Joe. In his later years, Bob and his wife, Lil, got to travel to many places in the world which they enjoyed seeing but trips to visit their grandchildren as their lives and families grew were the most cherished.
At Sacred Heart, Bob was an usher and sang in the church choir for many years. He was a lifetime member of the Shelby Knights of Columbus Council #1968 and a lifetime member of the Land Improvement Contractor Association (LICA). Bob’s hobby was antique tractors which he began collecting later in life, especially Ford and Oliver tractors which were great memories from his childhood.
Bob is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lillian A. (White) Niese, whom he wed on April 15, 1972 at Sacred Heart Church in Mt. Gilead. Also surviving are their children: Roger (Terri) Niese of Shelby, Kristi (Loren) Kranz of Shiloh, and Ken (Tina) Niese of Crestline; grandchildren: Kelsey (Josh) Dotson, Owen (Katlyn) Niese, Adi Niese, Leslie (Dave) Crump, Brooke (Braelen) Bader, Adam (Katie) Niese, Alyssa Niese, and Ashlynne Niese; great grandchildren, Eli Dotson, Grayson Niese, Hanes Crump, Banks Bader, and Avery Dotson. Sweet Avery’s birth came at nearly the exact minute of Bob’s passing- a true transition and joining of heaven and earth which we certainly believe to have been a miracle facilitated by God and Bob’s beloved late son, Charlie. Also surviving are brothers: Jerry (Carol) Niese, Tom (Dorothy) Niese, and Joe (Maxine) Niese; sister: Mary Ann (Bill) Tabor; in-laws: Shirley Niese, Martha (Merle) Ahrens, Margaret Franks, and Don (Loverna) White; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends. In addition to his parents and son, Charlie, Bob was preceded in death by his beloved first wife: Dolores (Karl) Niese; brother: Jim Niese; mothers and fathers-in-law: Walter and Gertrude Karl and Lawrence and Ethel White; and in-laws: Miriam (Omer) Beatens, Buzz (Margie) Karl, Larry (Judy) White, and Noel Franks.
A very special thank you from the family goes to Marty Keller, Cheryl Rietschlin, Fr. Jeff Smith, Dr. Angela Novy, Dr. Pierre Giglio and his staff at The James Cancer Center, and the staff of the Willows at Willard for all their loving support and care provided to Bob and the Niese family.
Family and friends are welcome on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 from 3-7 pm at the Penwell Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, where a rosary will be recited at 7:15 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 11 am at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Bethlehem, Shelby Settlement, 5741 State Route 61, Shelby. Fr. Jeff Smith will celebrate the Mass with burial following in the church cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Church or Shelby Knights of Columbus #1968.
Condolences may be made on Bob’s obituary on the funeral home’s website (PenwellFuneralHome.com) or their Facebook page (Facebook.com/PenwellFuneralHome).
To view Bob’s tribute video, click the link: Bob’s tribute video.
Our deepest condolences. So sorry to hear this. Prayers in the days ahead He was a great man with his family, to the community, fellow workers and serving God.
Thinking of you and family Mrs Niese
So sorry to hear about your husband. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Deepest sympathy to the Niese family. Prayers for all
My deepest condolences.
With heart felt sympathy for the entire Niese family. We are so very sorry for your loss.
Prayers to all,
Linda and Andy Durkin
Lil and family – so ery sorry to read of Bob’s passing. He will be so missed by all those who’s lives he touched.
Barb & Jan Kaple
Thoughts and prayers for the entire Niese family during this difficult time.
What a special man and a wonderful legacy he has left behind for his family! Hugs to all of you as you continue to go forward without your loved one. Know that he is watching you from paradise…
So sorry for your loss of your husband, father and grandfather. Prayers for all of you during this difficult time.
I always enjoyed talking to Bob when he came into the grain elevator. His personality always made me laugh. My sincere condolences to the family.
I extend my sympathy to your family at the loss of Bob. Thinking of you at this difficult time
Dear Lil,
I have sweet memories of your husband with you at Pioneer dinners when I taught GRADS through Pioneer. Bless you and your family.
Hugs, Marge Carnahan
We are so sorry to hear of your loss…..Hugs and Prayers…..
Kristi and Family
So sorry to hear this news. Prayers for the difficult days ahead. Thinking of the family. May your many happy memories help to sustain in the days to come.
Jim and Joann
Our deepest sympathy to Mrs. Niece and her family at the time of the passing the husband, Bob. We are lifting her and her family in prayer for comfort in this difficult time of loss.
Our deepest sympathy to the family. So very sorry for your loss. Sending prayers and hugs. Keep remembering all the wonderful times you shared with him. May God bless you.
Prayers, sorry for your loss.
So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. Sending many prayers and condolences to the entire Niece family.
Thinking of you at this time
Sorry to hear of your loss. Prayers!
Kristi ,Loren and family. our deepest condolences to you and all the family. Lifting you up in prayer for peace and comfort in the days ahead. God bless you, Sal and Jim Messenger.
To Lil and Family, Jim and I send our sincere prayers for all of you.
God blessings and Rest In Peace Bob.
Lil,I have happy memories of you from Pioneer as new bride and the best guidance counselor EVER! My sincere sympathy to you and your fabulous family. Prayers and ❤️ LOVE. Bev Rakestraw
Kristi & family,
May the Good Lord grant you his peace that surpasses all understanding and comfort you and yours during this time. It’s always hard to lose our loved ones.
Our great hope is that we will be reunited with him through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
I am praying for you and your family,
Scott H. Smith
We are praying for you & sending our sympathies at this time…
Love, peace, & Blessings,
From the Metzgers
So sorry to hear about your loss! Our sympathy and prayers for all the family!
Blessings!
Celia and Charlie Warren
Our sympathies to the Niese family on the passing of Bob. My recollection of Bob is that he always had time to talk and pass the time. He’s now clearly in a better place in God’s hands. May he now rest in peace.
Ms. Niese and family. I am so very sorry for your loss. I am quite sure that he is in heaven with Charlie and those who preceded him. May you all feel the presence of the LORD in this time of loss. GOD bless. My thoughts and prayers are with you.