Wilbur R. “Sonny” Rose Jr., 89, of De Soto died Sept. 23, 2026, at his home. Mr. Rose grew up with an strong work ethic, an infectious sense of humor and a lifelong love for storytelling. A 1954 graduate of Galion High School, his hustle started early and by age 13 he was running three paper routes. By age 16, he was digging graves at the local cemetery, and in between, he set pins at the bowling alley for five cents a line. Growing up, his family ran the Gulf and Sinclair service station, where he developed a passion for mechanics and working on cars, starting with his first ’47 Ford and continuing with his Buick. In his youth, you could find him at the drive-in, roller-skating, dancing the bunny hop, tuning into Inner Sanctum radio mysteries or hanging out with his childhood pets, including a goat and a favorite chicken named Nicodemus. From 1954 to 1957, he served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Robinson (DD-562) as a radarman, making an appearance in the 1956 film Away All Boats. After his military service, he became a master of all trades, excelling in carpentry, painting, roofing, masonry, and auto mechanics and later retiring as a lineman. He gave time, patience and attention to raising his family and loving his grandchildren. He was known as the “Giving Tree” of the family, having an open heart and an enduring optimism about the future. He loved listening to Patsy Cline, gathering at Navy ship reunions, researching his family’s genealogy and reminiscing about his dog, Billy. Born Oct. 20, 1936, in Crestline, Ohio, he was the son of the late Wilbur Ruskin Rose Sr. and Zoa Ilene (Garverick) Rose.
He is survived by his brother: Donald Rose of Crestline, Ohio; three children: Michael (Ruth) Rose of De Soto, Patricia Rose Nash of Bucyrus, Ohio, and Tracie Rose of Bucyrus, Ohio; six grandchildren: Colleen (Nathan) Doyle of De Soto, Amber (James Parmer) Packard of Crestline, Ohio, Tiffany Almahaieri of Santee, Calif., Heather (David Sabrowski) Rose of Bucyrus, Ohio, Amanda (Kyle) Bates of Findlay, Ohio, and Sean Nash of Bucyrus, Ohio; as well as many great-grandchildren, shipmates and friends.
He was preceded in death by a sister: Marlene (Rose) Morthland; his brother-in-law: Allen Morthland; and his sister-in-law: Lois Rose.
Visitation is scheduled from 10 a.m. until a funeral service at noon Saturday, Sept. 26, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1620 Boyd St., in De Soto. Interment will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Fairview Cemetery in Galion, Ohio. Memorials may be made to Serenity Hospice Care, 5218 St. Genevieve Avenue, Farmington, 63640, or at serenityhospiceandhome.org. Arrangements are under the direction of Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home.