Robert J. Singleton

Robert J. Singleton, 97, of Dover died early Tuesday morning, Jan. 20, 2015 in the Community Hospice House following a brief illness.

Bob was a retired printer at the Timken Company in Canton where he worked for 42 years.

Born Aug. 25, 1917 in Frankfort, Indiana, he was the son of the late James Roy and Edith (Wisehart) Singleton. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Mildred (Ball) Singleton whom he married on Sept. 18, 1937 at the First Evangelical & Reformed Church in New Philadelphia. She died Dec. 15, 2005. A grandson, Ronald Rufener and sister, Marilyn Rosenberg also preceded him in death.

Bob was a longtime member of St. John's United Church of Christ in Dover and the Tuscarawas County Senior Citizens. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. He enjoyed reading and will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor. He was often quoted as saying "the first 100 years are the hardest."

Bob will be sadly missed by his family including his four children Norman (Karen) Singleton of New Philadelphia, Robert "Fred" (Katy) Singleton of Dover, Susan (Ed) Rufener of Strasburg and Beth (Ron) Kilchenman of Wadsworth; four grandchildren, Edward (Vicki) Rufener, Robert (Amy) Rufener, Beth (Chokri) Jouini, and Quentin Singleton along with seven great grandchildren, five great great grandchildren and a brother, Richard (Bonnie) Singleton of Louisville, Kentucky.

Funeral services celebrating Bob's life will be held Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015 beginning at 2pm in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory at Dover with his son, Norm Singleton officiating. A reception will follow in the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center. Interment will be Monday in the Dover Burial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home Sunday from 1-2pm. Those who may wish to express a fond memory of Bob may sign the online guestbook by visiting the "obituaries and flowers" link on the funeral home website at www.tolandherzig.com

Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Hospice House, 716 Commercial Ave. S.W., New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663, Gideons International, P.O. Box 241, Berlin, Ohio 44610, or St. John's United Church of Christ, 409 N. Wooster Ave., Dover, Ohio 44622