Robert C. “Bob” Ballentine, 72
Robert C. “Bob” Ballentine, age 72, of Orrville, died Thursday, September 14, 2023, at South Baldwin Regional Medical Center in Foley, AL, following complications from a 3 year battle with pancreatic cancer.
Bob was born on May 1, 1951, in Wooster, to the late Russell and Julia (Lautenschlager) Ballentine, graduated from Orrville High School in 1970 and earned a Firefighter II degree from Stark Technical Institute. He married Linda Faye Reikowsky on July 06, 1971 and February 13, 1983, in Orrville. Linda survives.
He worked for Snyder Ford for many years and then for C.A. King and Ben Imhoff Construction.
He joined the Orrville Fire Department in 1971 and served in all ranks from firefighter to the rank of Fire Chief in 1989. He was appointed as the first Full Time Chief for the City in 1992. He served the fire department with 46 total years of service (28 as Fire Chief), working full time for the last 24 years, and retired in 2017.
Bob was a member of the Wayne County Fire & Rescue Association and the Wayne County Fire Chiefs Association where he served as President for 22 years. He was a member of the Ohio and National Fire Chiefs Associations, as well as the National Fire Protection Association. He was appointed Ohio Fire Chiefs Fellow in 2012, served as Ohio Fire Chiefs Emergency Response Plan Assistant Regional Coordinator for Region 5 and served 10 years on the Fire Data Exchange (3 years as a Trustee). Bob was a founding member of WARCOG and served on the Operations Board. He was a Steering Committee member of the Wayne County Training Center for the last 25 years.
Bob was also a member of Calvary Assembly of God, and a charter member of the Orrville Lion’s Club. He enjoyed being outside and remodeling the house. Bob loved stamp collecting, working on the computer, and took pleasure in keeping things organized.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Linda, are his daughter, Christina Renee (Mark Yoder) Ballentine of Dundee; three grandchildren, Skylor (Sidney Lindner) Ballentine of Shelby, Jordan (Hope Miller) Yoder of Somerdale, and Caiden Ballentine of Dundee; two great grandchildren, Alyeena and Asher Yoder of Somerdale; four siblings, Randy Ballentine of Lillian, AL, Ron (Brenda) Ballentine of Orrville, Paula (Jimmy) Aaron of Summerdale, AL, and Jim (Michelle) Ballentine of Pensacola, FL; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends may call from 1:00 to 3:00 pm and 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at Auble Funeral Home, 512 East Oak Street, Orrville.
Services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, September 22, 2023, at Calvary Assembly of God, 2061 Wadsworth Road, Orrville, with Pastor Chuck Davis officiating. At a later date burial of ashes will take place at the Crown Hill Cemetery in Orrville.
Memorials may be made to Orrville Fire Fighters Association, P.O. Box 144, Orrville, OH, 44667 the Wayne County Regional Fire Training Facility, 2311 S. Millborn Road, Apple Creek, OH, 44606 or Calvary Assembly of God 2061 Wadsworth Road, Orrville, OH 44667 www.calvaryag.church.
