Thursday, August 19th, 2021
Jonny Van Sidenbender
Jonny Van Sidenbender, 86, of Rockford passed away on August 16, 2021 at Vancrest Nursing Home in St. Mary's.
He was born on May 27, 1935, in Dublin Township, and was the son of the late John Van Sidenbender and Mabel Mae Williams Sidenbender. On November 13, 1955 he married the former, Martha Shaffer who survives. Together, they shared 65 years of memories.
Jonny was a 1953 graduate of Rockford High School. Following graduation from high school, Jonny served in the US Army from 1953 - 1955, where he was the Company Clerk. He was a teacher and coach for Parkway Local Schools and then a Secondary Supervisor for Mercer County ESC. Jonny also served for many years as the MAC Commissioner. Jonny was a member of the Rockford United Methodist Church. He also enjoyed being the "Old Man" in the Rockford Variety Show for many years.
In addition to his wife, surviving are four daughters; Karen (Casey) Nuttle of Rockford, Kaye (Kevin) Ross of Rockford, Kelley (Brian) Hager of Kettering, and Karla (John) Butler of Rockford; a brother Tommy Lynn (Barb) Sidenbender of Rockford; 12 grandchildren: Jordan(Alison) Ross, Grant (Jasmine Conley) Ross, Eric Bills, Kristin (Chris McDorman), Andy (Stephanie) Hager, Drew (Brad Hansman) Ross, Craig (Lisa) Bills, Michael (Alaine) Nuttle, Ben (Amanda Amburgey) Hager, Joe (Irene Brooks) Hager, Krista (Tom) Baer, Shaun Butler and 14 great grandchildren.
A private family committal service will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Rockford.
A public Celebration of Life gathering for family and friends will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like you to send a donation to any of the following: Grand Lake Hospice, Parkway Music Booster, Parkway Athletic Booster or Rockford United Methodist Youth and Children's programs in Jon's memory.
To share in Jonny's online memorial, please visit www.ketchamripley.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, 111 W. First Street, Rockford, OH 45882.