Barbara Jean Rentschler, known as Bobbi to her friends and family, age 91, of South Berwick, ME, passed away peacefully at home on October 31, 2025, surrounded by her daughter and grandson. Bobbi was born on May 5, 1934, near Las Animas, CO, and was preceded in death by her husband, William Rentschler; parents Claude and Edith Wilson; and brother Harry (Roxie) Wilson. She is survived by her two children: daughter Jennifer Hock and son Jeffrey (Karen) Rentschler; four grandchildren Kate (Richard) Pioszak, Clay Rentschler, Mikel Rentschler, and K.C. Hock; brother Jerry (Deb) Wilson and sister Kathy (Mark) Wilson.

Bobbi attended Southwest Missouri State in Springfield, MO, where she earned her teaching degree and met her future husband, who was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood as a Drill Instructor. They married and settled in Michigan, where she began teaching Kindergarten at in Mt. Clemens. She later retired to raise her family in Harrison Twp. and eventually took culinary classes at Macomb Community College to pursue her love of good cooking.

Bobbi was a devoted wife, mother, and “Granna,” who shared her love of tennis, cooking, gardening, and the outdoors with her children and grandchildren. She cherished time “up north” at Echo Lake with trips to surrounding areas. Some of her best family memories were the annual trips to Marco Island, FL where she and family spent mornings walking the shore and picking shells together.

When her husband Bill became ill, the family built a new home for her in Mt. Clemens where she lived for 30 years, tending her garden and yard after his passing. When she later needed support, she moved to Maine to live with her daughter, where she enjoyed gardening, camping, and reminiscing about a life filled with family traditions and adventures.

Bobbi formed deep friendships wherever she lived—from her longtime neighbors on Chancel in Harrison Twp. to the communities she joined later in life. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

In honor of her lifelong compassion and generosity, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Project Purple, or to the World Wildlife Fund, an organization she faithfully supported for more than 30 years.

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