Obituaries

Robert P. “Bob” Fessel

PAULDING, OH:

Robert P. “Bob” Fessel, age 77, of Paulding, OH, passed away on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at CHP Inpatient Hospice, Defiance, OH.

Bob was born in Fort Wayne, IN on October 25, 1948, to his late parents, E.C. “Bud” and Ruth (Cormany) Fessel. On March 20, 1971, he married Nancy Fessel. Together, they shared a beautiful life.

He was the owner and president of Fessel Jewelers, Paulding, OH for 51 years. Bob earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ohio University in Athens, OH in 1971. Bob was also a graduate gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America, Fellowship by Examination of the Gemmological Institute of Great Britain, certified gemologist of the American Gem Society, and a member of the International Society of Appraisers.

Bob was the past president of the Paulding Chamber of Commerce, former president of the Paulding Kiwanis Club, past president of Delta Sigma Chi, elder of Bible Fellowship Church, Paulding, OH. He was a great cook, magician, enjoyed carpentry, coaching little league baseball, camping, traveling, as well as mentoring new jewelers, and spending time with his grandchildren.

He will be lovingly missed by his wife, Nancy Fessel, Paulding, OH; son, Daniel Fessel, Cape Coral, FL; daughter, Kelly (Jerrod) Kirkland, Bryan, OH; grandchildren: Gabriel Fessel, Cape Coral, Fl; Taylor Lucas, Cuyahoga Falls, OH; step grandchildren, Lucy and Bryce Kirkland; siblings: Richard Fessel, Patricia Luo, and Sharon Chopin.

Bob is also preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Alisha Fessel and stepfather, J. Gareth Hitchcock.

A celebration of life will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Den Herder Funeral Home, Paulding, OH with Pastor Brent Roth officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later date at St. Paul Cemetery, Paulding Township.

Calling hours will be will from 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Den Herder Funeral Home, Paulding, OH.

Memorial contributions may be made in Bob’s memory to the Paulding County Dog Shelter, c/o Paulding County Sheriff’s Office or to the Bible Fellowship Church, Paulding, OH.

Online condolences may be shared at www.denherderfh.com.