Robert FOLK

16 SEP 1926 - 16 DEC 2014

• BIRTH: 16 SEP 1926, North Liberty, St Joseph, IN
• DEATH: 16 DEC 2014, Mishawaka, St Joseph, IN

• MARRIAGE: 2 NOV 1963, St Joseph County, IN

1.  Margaret Mary Maggie FOLK
2.  Georgia FOLK

INDEX

[N30355] Robert E. Folk
Sept. 16, 1926 - Dec. 16, 2014

GRANGER - Robert E. ("Bob") Folk, 88, of Granger, the sweetest dad and grandfather in the world, passed away on December 16, 2014, in Mishawaka, Indiana, after a brief illness. Bob was born on September 16, 1926, in North Liberty, Indiana, to Howard Nelson Folk and Beulah (Crabtree Mangus) Folk. They preceded him in death, as did his three siblings, Glenn Folk, Carl Folk and Evelyn (Folk) Davis. On November 2, 1963, Bob married the love of his life, Mary Kathryn Roche, who also preceded him in death. They had five children, who survive: Linda (Bill Davis) Myers of Vevay, Indiana, Georgia Benson of Osceola, Indiana, Robert C. Folk of Mishawaka, Indiana, Margaret (Paul) Marnocha of Elkhart, Indiana, and Michael Folk of Osceola, Indiana. Two grandchildren, R. Ryan Folk and Edgar Robert "Rob" Smith, preceded him in death. He is survived by thirteen grandchildren: Bobette Shaumber, Frank Savko, David Smith, Michelle Wilhelm, Kathryn Best, William R. Jones III, Amber Buras, Christopher Myers, Matthew Myers, Autumn Myers, Andrew B. Jones, Laura Jones and Nicholas Folk. He was also blessed with 21 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Two sisters-in-law, Elizabeth "Betty" Mumaw and Patricia (Jerry) Brucker, also survive, as do countless nieces and nephews who were very dear to him. Bob graduated from North Liberty High School in 1944 and shortly thereafter followed in the footsteps of his father and brother and enlisted in the United States Navy. Bob was part of the original crew of the USS Midway on the day it was commissioned. He was a lifelong member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Bob was a proud Master Mason and a member of North Liberty Lodge No. 266 F. & AM. for over 60 years. He was also a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of South Bend and Shriners. After his return from the Navy, he attended Purdue University where he was certified as a milk tester. Bob travelled St. Joseph County, Indiana, testing milk at dairy farms until he was given his dream joba tanker truck driver for Standard Oil. He was a proud Teamster Steward for many years. He retired at 58 years old to spend more time with his wife and family. He was a devoted Chicago White Sox and Notre Dame sports fan, having held season football tickets and women's basketball tickets for many years. Bob had many special friends throughout his life, many of whom survive, including Bobby Otstot, Brad Milliken, John Heilman and Melissa Weaver. A special fondness is extended to the staff of Wellbrooke Health Center who made his last three months so very happy. His family wishes to thank his doctors for their kind and compassionate care, in particular Dr. Todd Graham, Dr. James Sieradzki, Dr. Alexander Staradoub and Dr. Doug Doctor. Bob brought out the best in everyone. Friends may call at Palmer Funeral Home - Guisinger Chapel, 3718 South Michigan Street, South Bend, Indiana, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2014. Funeral services will be at the same location the following day at 11 a.m. and a military burial will follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in South Bend, Indiana. Memorial contributions may be made to the Indiana Masonic Home, 690 State Street, Franklin, IN 46131; or the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, 702 Chapin Street, South Bend, IN 46601. Online condolences may be left for the Folk family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.