Robert Clayton Detwiler

Robert Clayton “Bob” Detwiler, 91, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Rock Creek of Ottawa, Ottawa, Kansas.

Services will be held 10:00am, Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa.

Family will greet friends 5:30-7:30pm, Monday, April 1, 2024, at the funeral home.

Interment Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas.

Bob was born Tuesday, February 21, 1933, in Ottawa, Kansas, the son of Ralph William and Mary Ellen (Russell) Detwiler.

He was a lifelong Franklin County resident moving to Ottawa in the mid-1950s.

Bob attended rural elementary schools and graduated from Rantoul High School with the class of 1951. He also attended Kansas University and Rockhurst College.

He was united in marriage on December 17, 1955, in Ottawa, Kansas to Mary Ann Houdashelt. She preceded him in death on June 1, 2003.

Bob served in the Army National Guard from 1949-1958 attaining the rank of Master Sgt. with the 127th Field Artillery.

He was employed with several employers during his career, working for Scott’s Five and Dime Store in the early 1960s, Boing Aircraft in Wichita, Kansas, Missouri Pacific Railroad, Mode O’ Day and H.D. Lee performing machine repairs, Ransom Memorial Hospital in the maintenance department; Owner of Needle Trade Services in Ottawa, a cut and sew factory; and drove for Meals on Wheels.

Bob was a lay preacher for rural churches, a Boy Scout and Royal Rangers leader, and a church deacon. He enjoyed fishing, gardening and woodcrafts.

He was preceded in death by wife Mary Ann; infant brother Harold Detwiler; brother Ralph William Detwiler, Jr.; and granddaughter Mandy Diamond.

Survivors include sons Michael Detwiler (Cheryl) of Ottawa, Kansas and Gregg Detwiler (Rita) of Wilmington, Massachusetts; daughters Donna Diamond (Neal Knight) of Princeton, Kansas and LeeAnn Francis of Wellsville, Kansas; seven grandchildren Colby Diamond, Kelsey Aldrich, Janae Detwiler-Michelson, Brady Detwiler, Cherise Detwiler, Jill Francis, and Caleb Francis; and three great grandchildren.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Prairie Paws Animal Shelter or Mid-America Nutrition Program (Meals on Wheels) c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.

Services will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Please click the webcast watch now button to view the service.