Robert W. Connerly

Robert W. Connerly, age 94, died on April 30, 2016, in his apartment in Fort Wayne, Indiana among family. Bob was born on May 8th 1921 just east of Sulfur Springs, Indiana to parents George and Grace Connerly. Bob was a 1947 graduate of New Castle High School. He attended Purdue University from 1940-1941. Bob married Martha Nielander on October 29, 1944 and she preceded his in death on May 5, 2012. He joined the Navy until 1945 and left with a rank of Lieutenant J.G. Then Bob graduated from Purdue in 1947 with a B.S. in Agriculture. From there Bob served as Assistant County Agent in Delaware County. Then he sold livestock feed for Blue River before helping to launch Pioneer Feed Service in Rushville, Indian as Territory Manger. Bob retired in 1989 from Cargill Feeds who purchased Pioneer Feed Service. In 1991 Bob and his wife Martha opened “Connerly and Associates” a real-estate firm in Rushville. Bob was heavily involved in service, specifically Kiwanis, Salvation Army, Rush County Senior Center, Rush County Fair Board, I.C.A.P., FEMA Board, Master Gardner’s, Chairman of the Christmas Seal Campaign DeMolay Advisory Board, Friends of the Park, 1st Presbyterian Church, and Habitat for Humanity and was involved with the Indiana Community Action Program and the Indiana Association of Swine Judges and was a lifetime member of BPOE #1307. Bob was nominated for the 2007 Lifetime Award and received the Sagamore of the Wabash in 1991. Bob is survived by his two sons Patrick W. Connerly of New Haven, Indian and Ronald S. Connerly of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, his girlfriend Eileen Bennett, his grandchildren Bill Connerly (Spouse Monica), Maureen Lane (Spouse Elliot), Scott Connerly (Spouse Jamie), Keith Connerly (Spouse Megan), Eric Connerly (Spouse Trisha), Brandon Connerly (Spouse Pam), Laura Connerly (Spouse Phil Bixby), his greatgrandchildren Alexis Connerly, Ashland Bixby, Gwendolyn, Sara & Hannah Connerly, Aidan, Tamsin, Devon Connerly, and Leo Connerly. Bob is also survived by his great, greatgrandchildren Landon Connerly and Adalyn Myer. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Martha and his Son, James of Fishers, Indiana. Services will be held at 1 PM Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at Moster Mortuary, Rushville. Rev. Greg Steible will preside. Friends are welcome to visit from 11- 1PM that same day at the mortuary. Burial will be in Rushville’s East Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bob and Martha Connerly Fund c/o The Rush County community Foundation or the First Presbyterian Church.

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Robert W. Connerly

May 8, 1921 - April 30, 2016