Gary Dean Baltzell, 80, of Rockford passed away unexpectedly on December 20, 2022 at Mercer County Joint Township Community Hospital.

He was born on December 05, 1942, in Mendon, son to the late Floyd Baltzell and Mabel (Wurster) Baltzell. On November 08, 1963, he married the former Jean Burden, who survives. Together, they shared years of memories.

Gary was a 1960 graduate of Mendon Union High School. After graduation, Gary worked at Rockford Press. Later, Gary became a co-owner of Rockford Press, operating the business until a fire caused it to close in 1986. He then went to work for The News Gazette in Lima for 15 years, until retirement. After retirement, Gary returned to work at The Fremont Company in Rockford, where he worked an additional 15 years. He was a former member of the Rockford Presbyterian Church. When that church closed, Gary became a member at First Presbyterian Church in Celina. He was a member of the Rockford Fraternal Order of Eagles post 1292 and in the past served on the Rockford Volunteer Fire Department. Gary also had served on the Rockford Water Board.

In addition to his wife, surviving are three sons, Michael (Tara) Baltzell, Brad Baltzell, and Jason Baltzell, all of Rockford; five grandchildren, Molly, Brayden, Brock, Abby, and Breece Baltzell; brothers and sisters-in-law, Shirley Baltzell, Linda Burden, Kay Lauth, Rosalie Burden, Randy (Pat) Burden, and many many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by four brothers and sisters-in-law, Ned (Audrey), Fred (Martha), Wayne (Ruth Kay "R. K."), and Jim Baltzell, John and Dave Burden, Robert and Betty Daily, Margaret Ketchum, and Sharon Coffman.

Services will be held at 1:00 PM, Tuesday December 27, 2022, at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home 111 W. First Street Rockford, OH 45882. Burial will be private.

Family and friends will be received prior to the funeral service, from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM Tuesday December 27, 2022, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Gary`s memory may be sent to First Presbyterian Church, 700 North Main Street, Celina, OH 45822, or to Rockford Fire and EMS, 201 South Main Street, Rockford, OH 45882.

To share in Gary's online memorial, please visit www.ketchamripley.com.