Croft, Robert

Robert “Bob” W. Croft, Sr., age 83, of Athens, passed away on Monday, May 7, 2012 at the Christian Village in Lincoln. .

Bob is survived by his wife, Velma; a son Robert (Jo Ellen) Croft, Jr. of Athens; a daughter, Melaney Hughes of Springfield; four grandchildren, Adam (Linette) Hughes, Michele (Jeffery) Woods, Sarah Asbrock, and Robert (Stephanie) Croft III; five great-grandchildren, Justen and Felicity Hughes, Anneliese and Thomas Woods, and Joshua Asbrock; a sister, Joann Montgomery; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by a grandson, Andrew Croft; two brothers, Donovan and Delmar; and three sisters, Charlene, Naomi Gene, and Margaret.

Bob was born July 2, 1928 in Middletown, IL, the son of Thomas and Helen Ackerman Croft.

He married Velma Laws on October 10, 1948 in the Christian Church parsonage in Athens.

He worked at the rock quarry near Athens and Ahrenkiel’s Automotive for several years. Bob owned and operated Bob’s Mobil in Athens for 32 years. After retiring from Bob’s Mobil he later worked for the Villa Healthcare in Sherman as a maintenance worker.

He was a volunteer and past Fire Chief for the Athens Fire Department for many years. Bob was a life member of the Athens Christian Church and also served as a deacon and elder there.

Visitation will be held at the Athens Christian Church on Friday, April 11, 2012 from 9:00 until time of funeral service there at 10:00 AM. . Rev. Ken Gennicks and Rev. Robert William Croft III will be officiating.

Burial will be held at Joel Hall Cemetery in Athens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the “Robert W. Croft, Sr. Memorial Fund”.