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Roberta Bleichner Obituary
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.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Roberta Bleichner
6 Entries
Helen Koch
January 5, 2026
Roberta and I became friends when I became the secretary at the Tolono UMC in 2015. She was always willing to help at the church with 'coffee with the pastor', funeral dinners, Methodist Women's events and helping with volunteers at the Giving Place and volunteered at St. Pat's food pantry. She had her group of lady friends in town and at church. She was in the red hat ladies group and attended Bible studies at different churches with her friends. She would keep me up to date on what was going on in town and always willing to grab me a plate of biscuits and gravy from the Masonic Lodge breakfast. She loved to talk about her boys in Tolono and go to Ohio to visit her family there. She would bring in quilts, she was working on, from time to time; and use the tables to spread them out and pin them. I loved visiting with her and she gave great hugs.
Sandra Foreman
December 8, 2025
One of my dearest friends for many years. I am going to miss you beautiful Roberta. Rest in peace and we will meet again! I love you!
Egbert Family
December 8, 2025
Roberta was a wonderful friend to our family! My thoughts are with all of you.
Thomas Konkle
December 8, 2025
Chris, I am sorry for your loss,
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Tari Christians
December 4, 2025
In loving memory of a wonderful person. You had a heart that never quit! I will love you and miss you always.
judi epperson seider
December 4, 2025
roberta was a friend and neighbor for many years in Sidney where we both were born and raised..always kind and had a smile...
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