Robert Ray Slusher peacefully went home to be with the Lord that he loved and served on February 17, 2019, at the age of 91, in New Port Richey, FL. Bob was born in Elyria, OH. on February 10, 1928 to Samuel W. Slusher and Eva (Nugent) Slusher. He was a 1945 graduate of Elyria High School and following graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp where he proudly served his country for 2 and a half years. He attended Miami University of Ohio on the GI Bill. He was a Journeyman Sheet Metal Worker in Local Union # 65, a Licensed Stationary Engineer and a RWS Certified Welder who owned and operated his own business, Elyria Sheet Metal Works. He was later employed by Bendix Westinghouse in Elyria, OH. as a Millwright until the time of his retirement. He was also part of the retired UAW Members Local Union #971. In 1949, Bob married the love of his life, Betty J. Wurm of Lorain, OH. God blessed them with 50 wonderful years together before Betty went home to heaven in 2000. He was also predeceased by his parents and his siblings, Norma Ladd, Ivalyn Burgett, Helen Nutter, Carol McCoy, and Charles D. Slusher. Bob was a resident of North Ridgeville, OH. for more than 54 years where he loved living on his nine acre farm. He treasured the friendships of his neighbors and generously gave of himself to help them. He was most at home tending his more than 90 fruit trees, his grapevines, his vegetable garden, his prized elderberry bushes, and his chickens.He was a valued and respected member of his community who served with humility, integrity, and compassion. He served as an advisor for the North Ridgeville Junior Stockman 4-H- Club. He served as a Director for the Lorain County Fair Board for 18 years, including a term as its president and was presented the Clair Hill Award for outstanding service by The Chronicle Telegram. He was an active member of the Friends of the Elyria Library and he was an avid collector of books. He had a particular passion for books on religion, the Civil War, cooking, sports, and pop culture collectible books. He was also a collector of vintage cameras, vintage barber equipment, and vintage lighters. His other hobbies included bowling, golf, fishing and reading. Bob's personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and his love for His word, influenced every area of his life. He was a member of Abbe Road Baptist Church in Elyria, OH. and over the years served the body there as a deacon and a caring Sunday School teacher. He supported missionaries in Portugal and Great Britain, as well as his own grandson's family who serve as church planting missionaries in Uruguay. He acted as Coordinator for the Faith and Fellowship program at Lorain County Correctional Facility where he taught incarcerated men about God's love and forgiveness. In 2008 he received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Ohio Department of Correction and Rehabilitation. He is survived by his sister Nancy Anderson, of Elyria,OH., his brother, Glen E. Slusher (Jan) of Elyria, OH., his daughter Susan A. Fisher and her husband, Jim Fraser of Tully, N.Y., his son David S. Slusher and his wife, Jane Slusher of Hudsonville, MI. and his daughter Amy L. Bush and her husband, Mike Bush of Schroon Lake, N.Y. He is also survived by his 10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. For the last 2 years of his life, Bob lived with his daughter and son-in-law and split his time between Schroon Lake, N.Y. and Hudson, FL. where he wintered at Word of Life Floriday RV Park. He leaves a legacy as a selfless and loving protector, provider, and prayer warrior for his family and as a godly and gentle encourager to all. Funeral services have been provided by the Faupel Funeral Home, Port Richey,FL. and Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home, Elyria, OH. A private burial service will be held at 2 PM on Friday, March 15 at Brookdale Cemetery in Elyria, OH., where full military honors will be provided by VFW post # 1079. Visitinag hours with the family will be open to all on Saturday, March 16 from 10-11:30 AM followed by a Memorial service at 11:30 AM at Abbe Road Baptist Church, 670 N. Abbe Rd., Elyria, OH. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be given to Word of Life Fellowship, P.O. Box 600, Schroon Lake, N.Y. 12870. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.laubenthalmercado.com

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