Tommie L. Bales, age 87 of Waynesfield, passed at 2:25 p.m., Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at Wapakoneta Manor. He was born on January 15, 1934 to the late Marcus and Cleo Ebling Bales. On August 21, 1960 he married Dalene Anspaugh, who survives.
Mr. Bales was a retired school teacher with the Lima City Schools and had spent two years with the Columbus City Schools. He was an U.S. Army Veteran. Both he and his wife were 4-H advisors working with the children and handling dogs and rabbits. They also spent many years volunteering at Lima Memorial Hospital. He had a love for the outdoors, camping all of his life, and he enjoyed working outside with his flower and vegetable garden.
He is survived by 4 sons – Jeffery Bales of Waynesfield; Craig (Anna) Bales of Wapakoneta; Bruce (Cindy) Bales of Baltimore, Ohio; Rob (Kim) Bales of Millers Port, Ohio; a daughter – Kristen (Gene) Brooks of Lewis Center, Ohio; 4 grandsons, a granddaughter; 1 great grandson; a grandpup – Fred; and a sister – Shirley (Sam) Hager of Lima.
He was preceded in death by 3 brothers – Jimmie Bales, Jack Bales, Gene Bales; and a sister – Dorothy June Edwards.
Funeral services will begin 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at Bayliff & Son Funeral Home, Cridersville. Pastor Nathan Branim will officiate. Burial will follow in Fairmount Cemetery, near Uniopolis. Military rites will be observed by the V.F.W. Post
The family will receive friends from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m., Wednesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Research.