Rev. Haldon J. Robarge 1933-2025

He was born Dec. 30, 1933, in Toledo, to James and Johanna Ballert Robarge.

He was an ordained minister and enjoyed serving as a parish pastor for over 47 years. He was an assistant pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Norwalk, and later, as senior pastor, 1962-69; pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Girard, 1969-1986; Bethel Lutheran Church, Canton, 1986-1998; and St. Paul Lutheran Church, Greenville, 1998-2006.

After retirement, he continued serving as an interim pastor and as a consultant in 11 congregations over a period 12 years in the three Ohio synods (Southern, Northwestern and Northeastern) and then served as a supply pastor.

Some of his most humbling and fulfilling parts of his ministry were seeing more than 14 young people he taught or worked with become Lutheran parish pastors and officiating the second marriage of his widowed mother to George Lustic.

Various professional, church and community organizations in which Robarge was involved include chairman, Huron County Red Cross; and chaplaincy in Civil Air Patrol, Holiday Inn Hotel and Aultman Medical Center. He also was president of numerous clergy / ministerial groups, instructor at Trumbull County Mental Health Center and consultant / mediator for congregations in conflict in the Northeastern Ohio Synod of the ELCA. In 1985, he was nominated for “Who’s Who in Religion in America in 1985.” He has received certification as a Church Growth and Church Conflict Consultant; Taylor Johnson Temperament Analysis (TJTA) Administrator and Instructor; Parent Effectiveness Trainer (PET); Teacher Effectiveness Trainer (TET); and Youth Effectiveness Trainer (YET).

He attended Capital University and is a graduate of the University of Toledo (1955 B.A.) and Capital University Seminary (Trinity Seminary), Columbus (1959 B.D.). He also attended the University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, 1963; Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh, Pa., 1972; Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, 1977 M.Div.; and McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois, 1980-82, where he completed the academic requirements for Doctor of Ministry.

Robarge enjoyed being active with sports and hobbies, which include swimming, fishing, golf, tennis, bowling, fast-pitch softball and basketball. In later years, it was more watching many sporting events on TV.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret; parents, Johanna and James Robarge, and stepfather, George Lustic; brother, Paul Robarge; sister, Barbara Eisenhauer; sister-in-law, Diane Robarge; brothers-in-law, Carl Eisenhauer, and Robert and James Babcock; daughter-in-law, Patti Valentich; and granddaughter, Tara Robarge.

He is survived by his sons, John of North Canton and James (Lisa Hill) of Louisville; daughter, Pamela Burns, and fiance, Dave Kinion of Estero, Florida; grandsons, Ryan (Haley) Burns, Nathan (Collette) Burns, and Conner and Adam Burns; stepgranddaughter, Vanessa Valentich; and great-granddaughters, Cora and Amelia Burns. He also is survived by his two sisters, Ruth (Gary) Mayer of Fredericksburg, Texas, and Tracey Lustic of Toledo, and numerous nephews and nieces.

He was a loving and generous husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend. He loved many, was loved by many and will be missed by all.

Haldon’s celebration of life will be 1 p.m. Friday, June 27, 2025, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2551 55th St. NE, Canton. The family will greet visitors two hours preceding the service.

The family would like to thank Windsor Medical Center and Aultman Hospice for the compassionate and exceptional care provided during his final days. We would also like to thank Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and The Ohio Lutheran Synod for honoring our father’s wishes.

Arrangements entrusted to the Mark R. Vrabel Funeral Home, North Canton; 330-452-4041.

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