Robert Tomlinson

Robert Charles Tomlinson, 82, died April 23, 2010, at his residence after a brief illness. He was born June 19, 1927, to Elwood and Ruby George Tomlinson, who preceded him in death. On November 27, 1948, he married D. Jean Fisher, who survives. Mr. Tomlinson graduated from South High School in 1945 and attended numerous trade schools throughout the country. He served honorably in the Navy from 1945-46 aboard the USS Topeka. Mr. Tomlinson was president and owner of Tomlinson Motor Service from 1955 until his death. He was also associated with Tomlinson Brake & Spring, Tomlinson Truck Division, and he owned and operated an Avis Rent-a-Car franchise in Lima, Ohio. One of the important services he provided through his business was manufacturing hand controls for the challenged driver. Mr. Tomlinson was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, where he served as a member of the board of trustees. He was a former member of St. Luke?s Lutheran Church, where he was Sunday school superintendent, youth director, Sunday school teacher and council member. He was a board member of the Bath school board for 24 years and was president for many of those years. During his time as a member of the Bath board, he served as a member of the Apollo Joint Vocational School Board for 22 years. He was instrumental in the formation of Apollo. He was a longtime member of the Lima Kiwanis Club, where he served as president, lieutenant governor (1992-1993) and was Kiwanian of the Year in 1987. He was serving on the Executive Board of the Regional Planning Commission. He was a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity for several years, including leading one of the projects. Mr. Tomlinson enjoyed his family, church, traveling especially with his grandkids, playing cards with friends, restoring antique cars and being a member of the Classic Car Club. Survivors include four children, Greg (Valerie), of Lima, Ohio, Dave (Landa), of Spencerville, Ohio, Mike (Diane), of Lima, Ohio, and Jill (Jeff) Gruber, of Gibsonia, Pennsylvania; 11 grandchildren, Greg II (Holly), of Lima, Ohio, Nicholas (Lindsey), of Navarre, Florida, and Jennae, of West Point, New York, Scott (Viktoryia), of Sanford, Florida, Jim (Sarah), of Bettendorff, Iowa, and Rebecca (Brian), of Wapakoneta, Ohio, Corey (Kelly), of Toledo, Ohio, Lauren and Abbey, of Lima, Ohio, Mackinley and Kelsey, of Gibsonia, Pennsylvania; 10 great-grandchildren, Kamryn, Blake, Tyler, Grant, Krysta, Tobin, Perrin, Bailey, Ely and Norah; a brother, Gene Tomlinson, of St. Mary?s; and many wonderful nieces, nephews and in-laws, along with very special friends, including the ?Pinochle Club.? Services will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Pastor Michael Phillips will officiate. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today and 2 to 8 p.m. Monday at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Cheryl Allen South Side Center or the Lima Rescue Home. The family would like to thank St. Rita?s Hospice and the doctors and staff of Dr. Sharon Cole, Dr. Darryl Hotmire, Dr. Eric Fisher and Dr. Michael Pak.