Robert "Bob" L. Oliver

Robert “Bob” L. Oliver, 90, passed away on Monday, November 2, 2026, at the Harmar Place Community in Marietta, Ohio. He was born on December 2, 1935, to the late Lloyd and Mabel Reed Oliver, in Cutler, Ohio.

Bob was the fourth child in a family of six children. He grew up on a 214 acre farm near Cutler with three sisters and two brothers. He was proud of where he lived, and often stated, “there’s no better place to live your youth than on a farm.” Bob attended Bartlett Grade School and graduated from Bartlett High School. Growing up, he was active in community activities, the family farm, Centenary Methodist Church, and the Boy Scouts of America. He enjoyed all the farm animals, playing basketball, his school plays, gardening, and spending time with his neighbors.

He first worked for Apex Feed & Supply and Big Bear before being drafted in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. After three months he was honorably discharged. He then worked at The Peoples Banking & Trust Company for five years. The Bartlett Farmers Bank in Bartlett, Ohio then decided to build a branch in Barlow, Ohio where Bob became the first Manager at the Barlow office. Over his 35 years there, he served as branch manager, loan officer, security officer executive vice president, president, and director before retiring in 2001. He also assisted in opening two additional offices in Little Hocking and Bartlett.

Bob was a 50-year Charter Member of The Scenic Hills Lions Club, served on committees for Farmers Business and Analysis, served as President of the Marietta Senior Citizens for two terms, and was a member of the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Barlow. He organized and chaired the Barlow Fair Parade Committee and, in 1996, he was honored as the Parade Marshall during the Barlow Fair.

He was also a member of the 125 Bushel Corn Club, served on the Advisory Committees for Washington State Community College, the Farm Business Planning & Analysis, Measuring & Planning Progress, and the Marietta and Parkersburg American Institute of Banking. Bob also promoted the Little Hocking Water Association for the Barlow/Vincent area.

Bob received awards from the Waterford FFA, the Washington County Career Center, and earned an Honorary FFA Farmers Award. He also volunteered for several years at Marietta Memorial Hospital and for four years at Phillip Elementary School. He retired to Glenwood where he supervised 30 gardens where he and the residents raised flowers each summer to decorate the interior of Glenwood.

He is survived by his children, Daniel Oliver (Hazel), Teresa Cote, and Colleen Kreaps (Greg); his grandchildren, Megan Graham (Corey) and Ryan Kreaps (Jasmine); his great granddaughters, Camila and Marabelle Graham; and his sister, and Sue Fields.

Bob is preceded in death by his wife, Shirly Lang Oliver, whom he married on July 14, 1984; his sister, Francis Turner; his brothers, Dick and Bill Oliver; his sister, Corinne Austin; and his grandparents, Wilson and Ella Oliver and Richard and Nettie Reed.

A funeral service will be held at the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Barlow, Ohio at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. A graveside service and entombment with full military honors will follow in Eastlawn Memorial Park in Marietta, Ohio. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the BARLOW CHAPEL OF CAWLEY & PEOPLES FUNERAL HOMES.

Memorial donations may be made to the Lighthouse Baptist Church, 8135 St. Rt. 339 Vincent Ohio 45784, or the Barlow Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 121, Barlow, OH 45712.

Cawley & Peoples Funeral Home is honored to serve Bob’s family and offers online condolences and many other resources on their website, www.CawleyandPeoples.com or through following their Facebook page.