Wayne A. Boblenz

Wayne A. Boblenz, 77, of Big Island died Monday, January 25, 2016 at Kobacker House in Columbus after four weeks of failing health.



He was born in Espyville on April 20, 1938, the only child of the late Christian and Dorotha (Hecker) Boblenz. He grew up throughout Marion and Hardin Counties, attending school in Hepburn and graduating from Kenton High School. He served in the Ohio National Guard and worked for BF Goodrich in Green Camp, retiring after it became Parker Hannifin Industries.



Wayne met Dixie Lee Roshon very early on and, from the age of 13, Dixie said she was going to marry him and that is what she did at Hepburn Methodist Church on June 12, 1960. She preceded him in death May 22, 2010, just short of their 50th anniversary.



Wayne was a world champion wood carver, creating countless ducks, birds, fish, puzzles and toys in the workshop of the home he built for his family and he enjoyed meeting with the Whetstone Wood Carvers Club. He loved a great bargain and frequented flea markets and sales throughout Ohio. Wayne’s vegetable and flower gardens were abundant with several gardeners looking forward to purchasing their starter plants from him each spring and he tinkered on just about anything, restoring many trinkets and BB guns. Wayne could be counted on at every family gathering and usually brought along a new puzzle or practical joke so he could get a good laugh at someone’s expense.



Wayne is survived by two daughters, Dee (Rick) Murray of Prospect and Brenda (Todd) Buckland of Green Camp; five grandchildren, Matt (Kristin) Murray, Katie Phipps, Amanda (Adam) Utzinger, Amber (Matt) Meyer, and Austin Buckland; great grandchildren, Cassidy and Bella Murray and Lincoln and Gracie Utzinger; brother-in-law, Ken (Joy) Roshon of Arizona; and two nephews, Nathanael (Jennifer) and Luke Roshon.



Wayne’s family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, January 28 at Richland Road Church of Christ, 535 Richland Road, Marion where the funeral will be held on Friday at 11:00 a.m. with Russell Howard officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.



Contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to a charity of the donor's choice at the church through Wise Funeral Service of Bucyrus. Memories and photos can be shared on Wayne’s Tribute Wall.