Roberta Bleichner Obituary

Roberta Rue Bleichner

Mrs. Roberta Robbins Bleichner passed away Thursday, November 27, 2025. "Berta" was born July 26942, in Sidney, to Robert and Hazel Wilsey Heath Robbins, who preceded her in death. She was a 1960 graduate of Unity High School, and December 26, 1961, she married Paul Bleichner of Tolono, who preceded her. She was the mother of three, Marcella (Jim) Moon of Jenera, Chris Bleichner of Wapakoneta and William Bleichner of Tolono.

In 1966, the family moved to Lima, and she remained in Ohio until 2012, returning to Illinois upon retirement at age 70. She was a lifelong seamstress, tailoring and altering clothing and uniforms. She also made many wedding gowns and prom dresses. Roberta had many jobs over the years, sometimes two or three at a time. She was a church secretary at Calvary United Church of Christ in Lima for several years and also worked at Piece Goods fabric store and Master Maintenance for many years. She then moved to Findlay and worked at Red Lobster for 12 years. Upon returning to Tolono, she volunteered at Tolono Food Pantry, The Giving Place, Downtown Garden Club, and Tolono Historical Society, and cooked and served meals for funeral services in Tolono.

She was a woman of strong faith and was a member of Tolono Methodist Church, where she had a strong bond with her church family and friends.

Roberta is also survived by seven grandchildren, Mathew (Mandy) Miller and Scot (Kylee) Miller of Spencerville, Michele (Conner) Fewell of Westerville, Tiffany (Josh) Black of Urbana, Bradley (Allisha) Bergman, and Brent (Heather) Bergman, both of Botkins and Leslie (Matt) Sawmiller of Findlay; as well as 20 great-grandchildren, whom she greatly cherished, and many nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by four sisters, Maxine (Harold) Ruhe, Dorothy (John) Burr, Marjorie (Art) Peters, and Mildred (Bill) Davis; as well as two brothers, Lyle Robbins and Ben (Doris) Heath.

Memorial service will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Freese Funeral Home in Tolono. Visitation will be two hours prior to service.