Robert G. Stevenson, 87, of Brookston, passed away at 10:00 a.m., Sunday, January 31, 2021 at IU Arnett Hospital of Lafayette.
Bob was born January 1, 1934 in Kokomo, Indiana to the late Edward L. and Lena (Goyer) Stevenson. Bob's mother died during his childbirth. His father married Garnet O. Keim, on September 6, 1935, when he was a year and a half old, and she became like a second mother to him. Bob was a 1952 graduate of Kokomo High School.
Mr. Stevenson served in the United States Army at Fort Bragg as a Private. Bob sent pictures back home where he had written on the back “Where else in the world could I have seen the things I have here?” referring to his time at Fort Bragg. He was later honorably discharged.
His marriage of nearly 60 years was to Doris M. Spraker on September 1, 1957 at the Shiloh United Methodist Church of Kokomo. Doris preceded him in death on February 4, 2017.
Bob moved his family from Kokomo to White County shortly after getting married where he began a long career in farming starting with rented land from Juanita Waugh and also farming in Chalmers. He and Doris purchased the 240 acre family homestead shortly after. Bob mainly farmed grain but did raise hogs for several years. He was a devoted husband, father and farmer and lived out the values of hard work and honesty every day.
Besides farming, Bob enjoyed his cats and water skiing. There are pictures of Bob skiing in flooded farm fields pulled behind a pickup truck.
Bob was a member of the Chalmers Community Church for many years and recently had been attending the Brookston Federated Church.
Surviving are his two children, Selita Stevenson (husband: David Jurek) of West Lafayette and James “Mike” Stevenson of Brookston; his grandchildren, Jared Stevenson, Connor Stevenson (fiancé: Courtney Wheeler) and Katherine Bland (husband: Clay) and a special 2-year-old great-granddaughter, Reagan and his beloved sister, Merita Elledge (husband: Jere) of Edwardsville, IL.
Bob knew firsthand how difficult it was to battle COVID, a battle he ultimately lost. He had expressed his wish that people would take the pandemic more seriously, wearing masks and social distancing. He was appreciative of the care and kindness he received from the hospital nurses and staff. He saw how hard working and overwhelmed our front line workers were.
Because of Bob’s concern for COVID, a private funeral service will be held for family only at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 4, 2021 (the same day his wife passed 4 years earlier) at Hartzler-Clapper Funeral Home of Brookston; Rev. David Doles and Rev. Dr. Lelan D. McReynolds to officiate. Interment to follow in the Brookston IOOF Cemetery.
The funeral for Bob is being recorded and will be available to view shortly after the service. Friends may also share memories and online condolences and view the memorial slideshow at www.clapperfuneralservices.com
