Robert Ambroza

Robert L. ?Amby? Ambroza 88, died at 4:20 a.m. October 5, 2009, at his daughter?s residence. He was born March 18, 1921, in Lima, Ohio to John and Nellie O?Black Ambroza, who preceded him in death. On July 5, 1941, he married Alice E. Bigelow, who died October 11, 2007. Mr. Ambroza loved the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, golfing or just taking a walk. He had been a supervisor at Clark Equipment for several years, before taking an early retirement to run a small resort in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He retired from that after several years and moved back to Lima. He loved to feed stray cats. He enjoyed bowling and got his whole family involved. He was a Navy veteran, serving as an electronic technician from June 1, 1944, to December 12, 1945, aboard the USS Intrepid. He and his wife of 66 years are now golfing in heaven together. She has had two years to practice up to beat him. Survivors include five children, Nelson L. (Anita) Ambroza and Jeannette Crotinger, both of Lima, Ohio, Barry (Debby) Ambroza, of Fort Jennings, Ohio, Doug (Lora) Ambroza, of Maumee, Ohio, and Alicia (Jeff) Smith, of Wapakoneta, Ohio; a sister, Helen Patton, of Lima, Ohio; 12 grandchildren, Eric (Shelley) Ambroza and Kari (J.J.) Miller, both of Lima, Ohio, Tony (Cheryl) Ambroza, of Baltimore, Sally Shafer, of Columbus, Ohio, Amber (Kenny) Osisek, of Boyertown, Pennsylvania, Abe (Sara) Ambroza, of Pandora, Ohio, Erik K. Green, of Norfolk, Virginia, Travis McGuire, of Boyertown, Pennsylvania, Amanda (Jeff) Atkins, of Columbus, Ohio, Beth Green, of Lima, Ohio, Sara Ambroza, of Maumee, Ohio, and Miriam Smith, of Wapakoneta, Ohio; and 10 great-grandchildren, whom he called the ?Sweet Ones.? He was preceded in death by a brother, William ?Sam? Ambroza; a son-in-law, Dave Crotinger; and a nephew, Gary Patton. Services will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. The Rev. Douglas Adams will officiate. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, with military rites by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1275. Friends may call one hour prior to services Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tri County Hospice, 15 Willipie, Wapakoneta, OH 45895; or Auglaize County Humane Society, 733 Keller Drive, Wapakoneta, OH 45895. Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com.