Robert Holdren
Robert Wayne Holdren, 82, went to be with the Lord Jesus and be reunited with his wife and childhood sweetheart, Connie, on February 27, 2025.
Robert was born January 1943 to Robert C. and Marjorie (Thompson) Holdren in Derwent, Ohio. Robert was a member of Buffalo High School’s graduation class of 1961. He married his childhood sweetheart, the late Connie (Johnson) Holdren in 1963. Robert and Connie had three children, Naomi, Rebecca “Becky”, and Robert Joseph “Joey”.
Robert worked hard to provide for his family, working several years at Republic Steel in Canton, working his way up to crane operator. Robert and Connie then moved back to Guernsey County to raise their children in what they felt was a safer community and to be closer to where they grew up. Robert joined and proudly served in the Army Reserve and Ohio National Guard for twelve years. Later in life, Robert retired from the Cambridge State Hospital, as a therapeutic program worker, especially enjoying helping veterans rebuild their lives.
He loved the Lord Jesus, his family, and America more than anything. When Robert was not serving as the best husband, father, papa, or soldier he could be, Robert could be found to be enjoying some kind of physical labor around his farm or planting some of the thousands of trees that he hoped future generations would enjoy.
Robert is predeceased by his wife, Connie Rose Holdren; his father and mother, Robert C. and Marjorie R. Holdren; and his eldest daughter, Naomi (Holdren) Bankes.
Robert is survived by his son, Robert Joseph Holdren; daughter, Rebecca (Holdren) Mihalik and his son-in-law, John Mihalik; grandchildren, Dr. Andrew Mihalik, Laura Rose (Derek) Reichley, Joshua Mihalik, Elizabeth Rose Holdren; great-granddaughter, Ella Rose Reichley; and his sister, Tanya Ford.
The family requests that instead of flowers, contributions be made to The Living Word Outdoor Drama (PO Box 1481, Cambridge, Ohio 43725), Stop 9 Church of Christ (60330 Southgate Rd, Byesville, Ohio 43723) of which he was a member, or plant a tree in his memory and for future generations.
Visitation will be held Saturday (March 8, 2025) from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Black-Epperson Funeral Home, Byesville, where funeral services will follow at 12 p.m. with Evan. Mark Beros officiating.
Burial will be at Buffalo Cemetery, with military honors conducted by the Guernsey County Veterans Council.
Personal condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.black-eppersonfuneralhomes.com
