PICKERINGTON – The best fighter is not angry; he’s strong, he’s determined, he’s willing. Robert Jay Rule was a fighter. No matter what life dealt him, Bob faced it with grit and a smile. He was so willing to do anything that was asked of him, always with his signature grin and an ability to make others laugh.
His battle is over as the Lord called Bob to himself on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021, from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He was 71.
Born on June 29, 1949, in Mount Vernon to parents Arnal Jay and Nellie Ruth (Stewart) Rule, Bob graduated from Fredericktown High School in 1968 and immediately served four years with the U.S. Army.
Following his stint in the Army, he worked with the Ohio Brass Company in Mansfield before accepting a position with Rural Farm Distributors as a chemical distributor. His job with Kokosing Construction was cut short when the needs of family came first. In 1989, he became a full-time "phenomenal caregiver" to his daughter.
Bob was a member of Peace United Methodist Church in Pickerington. He enjoyed annual fishing trips to Chapleau, Ontario, Canada. A Fredericktown resident most of his life, he had lived in Pickerington for the past five years.
He is survived by his wife, Mary (Cook) Rule, whom he married on July 30, 1983; their children, Amanda (Matthew) Sharp of Pickerington, Ashley Rule of Pickerington and Adam (Mandy) Rule of Wichita, Kansas; grandchildren, Logan Sharp, Kamryn Sharp, Keagan Rule and Kaiden Rule; sisters-in-law, Sara (Bob) Riedle of Carrollton, Texas, and Carolyn Fergus of Fredericktown; brother-in-law, Jerry (Evea Jo) Cook of Fredericktown; cousins, Ron Stewart of Winter Haven, Florida, and Sue Foster of Mobile, Alabama; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The Rule family will receive guests on Saturday, Jan. 16, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, 22 E. Sandusky St. in Fredericktown. Face coverings are requested, and building occupancy limits may extend wait times. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. led by Bob's brother-in-law, the Rev. Robert Riedle. The Knox County Veterans Council will provide military honors, and interment will follow in Forest Cemetery, Fredericktown. Snyder Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bob's memory may be made at the service to Unverferth House, 190 King Ave. #D, Columbus, OH 43201; or to Lifeline of Ohio, 770 Kinnear Road, Columbus, OH 43212.
Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the Rule family. Share a message of support with them — and watch Bob's tribute video — online at SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
