Robert H. Gaier

Robert H. Gaier, 90, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at 2:12 PM at Fair Haven Shelby County Home in Sidney where he had resided since November. He was born in Fort Loramie, Ohio the son of the late Charles and Eleanore (Overman) Gaier. On June 24, 1948 he married Marie Bishop and she preceded him in death. Robert is survived by three daughters, Pamela Elsass and husband Jonathan of Milford, Ohio; Carol Baez and husband Michael of Lutz, Florida and Judy Mumford and husband Bernard of Raleigh, North Carolina; 16 grandchildren, Anne Marie (John) Devlin, Jon Jr. (Angie) Elsass, Dr. Thomas (Amy) Elsass, Sarah (Leon) Cymbaluk, Benjamin (Mary) Baez, Nicholas (Sarah) Baez, Alexander Baez, Marcus Baez, Rachel, Zack, Sophie, Maggie, Ellie, Isaac and Charlie Mumfod, B. J. (Joslyn) Mumford, 17 great-grandchildren, one half sister, Rose Roesser of Sidney and one brother-in-law, Dutch Carey of Sidney. Robert retired from LeRoi Dresser Industries in 1985, but he is most well known for his music career. He played saxophone with the Bobby Wertz Band, the Jim Baltes Band at Eldora and the Crystal Ballroom, the Keynotes Orchestra and in more recent times he played with the Frank Neville Orchestra and the New Era Swing Band. Bob also had a woodwind instrument repair business and has taught many students to play woodwind instruments. He was a member of the Sidney American Legion having served as a Paratrooper in World War II in the Phillipines and was a member of the Army Band. He was also a member of the Dayton Musicians Associations and a member of Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sidney. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, January 20, 2014 at 10:30 AM at Holy Angels Catholic Church with Rev. Dan Schmitmeyer. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery, Sidney with full military honors. Friends may call at Salm-McGill and Tangeman Funeral Home in Sidney on Sunday, January 19, 2014 from 1-4 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to Wilson Hospice, 915 W. Michigan Ave., Sidney, Ohio 45365, Fair Haven Shelby County Home, 2901 Fair Rd., Sidney, Ohio 45365 or Holy Angels School, 324 S. Ohio Ave., Sidney, Ohio 45365. Envelopes will also be available at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed to the Gaier family on Salm-McGill and Tangeman Funeral Homes web site at: www.salm-mcgillandtangemanfh.com