A Godly servant who loved so well, Robert "Bob" Edward Hanze, 90, entered into Eternal Life in Heaven on October 14, 2024.

He was born in Canton, OH, in 1934 to Edward and Lucille Hanze. He attended Canton South High School before attending Johnson University (Knoxville, TN) where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ministry/Preaching.

He met the love of his life, Shirleen Baughman in 1955 at Johnson University. The two were married June 25, 1956, in North Industry, OH, and were happily married 54 years. They reared two children, Tim and Sherry.

He dedicated his life to ministry and was committed to full-time ministry. He served as a preacher of the gospel for 60 years in seven churches, located in Bergholz, OH, Fredericksburg, OH, Rittman, OH, Madison, OH, Markle, IN, East Dayton, OH, and Toronto, OH. He was among the many ministers in his family, including his father-in-law, two brothers, brother-in-law, son and daughter, and grandchildren. He dedicated his life to his family and left quite a legacy to them and was an amazing example to all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Shirleen; his brother, Ron; and his son, Tim; he is survived by his brothers, Art (Shirley) and Dick (Kathy); his sister, Pat House (Terry); his sister-in-law, Carol; his daughter, Sherry Follett (Doug); his daughter-in-law, Debby; 6 grandchildren, Jean Marie Bell (John), Nathan Branam (Erica), Jessica Korff (Zach), Justin Branam (Leah), Kimberly Aber (Kris), and Brandon Branam (Laura), and 22 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Friday, October 18, at New Hope Christian Church, 5780 S. Main St., Whitestown, IN from 12 – 3 pm, followed by a service at 3 pm.

A second visitation will be Sunday, October 20, at the J.E. Foster Funeral Home, 701 Findley St., Toronto, OH, from 1 – 3 pm, followed by a service at 3 pm. He will be laid to rest following the service in the Toronto Union Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bob & Shirleen Hanze Preaching Scholarship Fund at Johnson University. Checks should be made payable to JOHNSON UNIVERSITY and mailed to 7900 Johnson Drive, Knoxville, TN 37998 with a note that it is in memory of Bob Hanze. Contributions can also be made online at www.JohnsonU.edu/donate with a memorial designation.