Rosemary “Rosie” Bernadine (Knapke) Fullenkamp,

Age 77, of Basinburg Road in Fort Loramie, Ohio, passed away peacefully at her residence Sunday morning, June 23, 2024, after a recent diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. She was born February 21, 1947, in Celina, Ohio, to the late Leander Arnold & Elenora Josephine (Hartings) Knapke. On February 2, 1974, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Maria Stein, Rosie married Anthony “Tony” Leo Fullenkamp who preceded her in death on November 4, 2021.

Rosemary was the mother of six loving children: Lisa & Chris Meister of Worthington, Karen & Geoff McCarthy of Redondo Beach, CA, Janet & Ryan Behrens of Hilliard, John (dec.) & Leah Fullenkamp of Fort Loramie, Alan & Rachel Fullenkamp of Fort Loramie and Maria & Josh Schmitz of Maria Stein; and grandmother of: Lucas and Nora Meister, Maybelle McCarthy, Jackson and Devon Behrens, Eliza, Henry, Molly and Greta Fullenkamp, James, Austin and Leo Fullenkamp, Grace, Lilly and Hope Schmitz, and angel babies Trinity, Victor & Faith Schmitz and others now resting peacefully in their grandmother’s heavenly lap. She is also survived by five siblings: Rita & Bob Niekamp of New Bremen, Tom Knapke of New Weston, Ivo & Pam Knapke of Maria Stein, Ann & David Long of Findlay and Emily & Charles Flanagan of Maria Stein as well as several sisters & brothers-in-law: Mary Knapke of Maria Stein, Paul Gehret of North Star, Robert & Dottie Fullenkamp of Ft. Recovery, MaryAnn & Ed Dirksen of New Weston, Larry Meyer of Chickasaw and Dorothy Borger of St. Henry along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two brothers: Louis and Gerald Knapke, as well as brothers & sisters-in-law: Michael Koesters, Mildred & Eugene Huelskamp, Bernice Gehret, Jeanette Meyer and Jim Borger.

Rosie was a 1965 graduate of Marion Local High School and later employed for ten years at Crown Equipment in New Bremen as a secretary, before focusing on raising her family. She was an active and devout member of St. Michael Catholic Church where she had been a parish volunteer, long-time Eucharistic distributer and in recent years, a Mass coordinator. Rosie also belonged to St. Ann’s Ladies Sodality and the Shelby County Right to Life.

Rosie was dedicated to her family and farm. She will be remembered for being a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She had a passion for helping others, especially children and the elderly. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, gardening, canning and growing flowers. During Lent, she volunteered making quilts and blankets for those in need. She loved sharing her talent of baking with family, neighbors and friends—and was especially known for her famous Christmas cookie plates, cinnamon rolls and cakes for every occasion. Rosie was exceptionally fond of her grandchildren, sharing with them untiring and endless love.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 AM, Friday, June 28, 2024, at St. Michael Church in Fort Loramie, with Rev. Aaron Hess presiding. Interment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery. Family and friends may call Thursday, 3:00 to 7:00 PM and Friday, 9:00 to 10:00 AM at Gehret Funeral Home in Fort Loramie. Memorials may be made to Grand Lake Hospice, Shelby County Right to Life or charities of choice. Private condolences may be expressed at the gehretfuneralhome.com website