Robert E. Hesse, 75, 20590 Maier-Barber Road, Mendon, died at 12:24 p.m. Sept. 20, 2006, at Hospice of Dayton, following an extended illness.

He was born Jan. 7, 1931, in Auglaize County, to Elmer and Cecile Millisor Hesse. On Sept. 20, 1959, he married Ethel Irwin, who survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Roger (Maryann), Spencerville, and John (Amy), St. Marys; a daughter, Susan (John) Pardon, Mendon; nine grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

He was a lifelong farmer and served as a rural mail carrier in Mendon. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in Germany, a 1949 graduate of the former Mendon Union High School and a member of National Letter Carrier's Association, Farm Bureau Council 29, the former Salem Grange, Hope Community Club, National Wool Growers and Wayne Street United Methodist Church, St. Marys. He served at Agape Ministries, St. Mary, since its creation in 1977.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Monday at Miller Funeral Home, St. Marys, the Rev. Mary Kay Brown officiating. Burial will follow at Hamilton-Bethel Cemetery.

Calling is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday at Miller Funeral Home, St. Marys.

Contributions can be sent to Agape Ministries.