Robert F. Houchin, 89, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, died Monday, October 20, 2008, at Mary Rutan Hospital. He was born in Logan  County on February 3, 1919, a son of the late Lewis and Mary Austin Houchin. On September 15, 1946, he married the former Alice V. Turner in Bellefontaine, and she preceded him in death in 2001. He also was preceded in death by a brother, Forest F. �Speck� Houchin, and a sister, Ardis Diener.

Survivors include three sons, Gregory J. (Vera Ann) Houchin of Golden Gate, Florida, John Keith (Ronda) Houchin and Michael Robert Houchin, both of Bellefontaine; a brother, Harold (Marguerite) Houchin of Naples, Florida; two sisters, Ida Mae Murphy of Bellefontaine and Leila Means of Boca Raton, Florida; two half brothers, Gerald Houchin of Belle Center, Ohio, and Donald Houchin of Mt. Victory, Ohio; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

A World War II veteran, he served with the Fifth 500th Medical Collecting Company. On July 29, 2001, he received the French Jubilee Liberty Medal Award. He worked in construction as an iron worker and was a member of the iron workers� union local 290. He also was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church.

Pastor Greg Haisley conducts the funeral service at 2 p.m. Friday, October 24, 2008, at the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine, where calling hours are two hours prior to the service. Burial is in Highland Memorial Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hillcrest Baptist Church, 1505 S. Main St., Bellefontaine, 43311. Condolences to the family may be expressed at eichholtz@embarqmail.com