from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Robert E. “Bob” Agner, 94, died Jan. 1, 2014.

He was born Oct. 12, 1919, in Ottawa, Ohio, to the late Dale and Mildred (Pierman) Agner. On Dec. 16, 1949, he married Mildred Hermiller and they celebrated 64 years of marriage last year.

Mr. Agner was a World War II United States Navy veteran. Before the war, he owned and operated a High Speed gas station in Columbus Grove, Ohio. After the war, he owned and operated Agner Auto Sales in Ottawa. He served as a Deputy Registrar of Motor Vehicles.

He was on the Board of Directors of the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce, was a City Councilman for the Village of Ottawa, served as the Ottawa Postmaster for more than 17 years, and was also an Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors for the Buckeye Sugar Company and Dextra Corporation.

He was also a member of Ottawa Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio Lodge #325, the Ottawa American Legion Post 63 and the Ottawa VFW.

Mr. Agner was a Standardbred owner, trainer, driver and breeder. His garage walls were lined with pictures of his horses in the winner’s circle and trophies earned by his dozens of winning horses. His horse, Maximilian, set a world record in 1954, which was unbroken for 14 years.

He served more than 50 years as a presiding judge licensed by the USTA. He served at many racetracks throughout Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Florida.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Agner is also survived by his children, John (Pat), Jeanne (Wayne Macdonald), Jim, Amy (Mark) Nienberg, Laurie (Tim Mershman), Anita (Jon) Loman, Scott and Peggy (Kevin) Cantrell; grandchildren, Bryce, Murray, Curtis, Kristen Macdonald, Erik, April Nienberg, Adam Nienberg, Jamie Loman Verhoff, Lindsey Loman Keller, Kelsey Cantrell, Tyler Cantrell and Trevor Cantrell; and great-grandchildren, Jameson, Morgan Nienberg, Elena Verhoff, Owen Verhoff, Quinn Verhoff, Lily Loman- Antoine and William Keller. He was preceded in death by his brother, Charles; sister, Ruth Droll; and grandson, Benjamin Loman.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 5) at Love Funeral Home, Ottawa, with Rev. Lynda Lockwood officiating. Burial will follow in Harman Cemetery, Gilboa, with military graveside rites by Ottawa American Legion and VFW. Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. on Saturday (Jan. 4) and one hour prior to the service on Sunday at the funeral home. There will be a Masonic service at 6:30 p.m. and a VFW service at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com.