Robert "Bob" J. Van Niel II

Robert “Bob” J. Van Niel II, 62 years of age, and a lifetime resident of Amherst, passed away Friday, September 3, 2021 at Mercy Regional Medical Center in Lorain.

He was born August 17, 1959 in Lorain.  Bob graduated from Amherst Steele High School with the class of 1977.

He was employed at Tyson Foods Inc. for fourteen years.  Bob was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Amherst.  He served as a usher at the 11:00 o’clock mass and also was a long term altar server.  Bob was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, The Amherst Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1662 and the Amherst Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aerie #1442.  He was a sports enthusiast, Bob loved the Cleveland Browns, Indians, Cavaliers, Ohio State Buckeyes and the Amherst Comets. He enjoyed attending the Lorain County and Sandusky Speedways.  Bob loved being outdoors attending the Rocking on the River Concerts and the Hillcrest Orchards Weekend concerts.  He enjoyed spending time on Pelee Island with his loving wife Terri.  In his spare time he loved gardening and grilling out.

Survivors include his loving wife of twenty-two years Terri Lynn Van Niel (nee: Turk); his sisters Jane Hunter of Ft. Meyers, FL, Carolyn Van Niel of Los Gatos, CA, Connie Sexton (James) of Wellington and Rosemary Bouton (David) of Avon.

He was preceded in death by his sister Marybeth “Betsy” Dunford; and his parents Robert J. Sr. and V. Joan Van Niel (nee: Szabo).

Public visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, September 10, 2021 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. with a Rosary service with the  Knights of Columbus at 7:45 p.m. at the Hempel Funeral Home. Closing prayers will be held Saturday at 8:30 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church; 200 St. Joseph Drive, Amherst.   Rebroadcasting of services will be available at http://www.hempelfuneralhome.com/. The Rev. Fr. Timothy O’Connor, pastor will officiate.  Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Amherst.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to American Cancer Society, PO Box 897, Hershey, PA 17033 or the Knights of Columbus, 4720 Oberlin Avenue, Lorain, OH 44053.

Please visit the funeral home's website to share a memory and sign the guest register, www.hempelfuneralhome.com.

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