ROBERT EUGENE STAUFFER

Robert Stauffer

Robert Eugene Stauffer, 94, of Rushville died March 17, 2023, at his home.

He was born Dec. 16, 1928, in Rushville, a son of Harry Byron and Dorothy Eleanor Venters Stauffer. He married Nancy Stephens Stauffer on Dec. 25, 1948, in Rushville. She survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Michael Allen (and Karen) Stauffer of Rushville and their children Kristen Michelle (and Eric) Streeter of Mahomet, Grant Alan Rexroat of Indianapolis and Eric Ryan (and Melissa) Stauffer of Rushville and their daughter, Amelia Elizabeth; Gary Robert Stauffer of Macomb and his children Feana Kara (and Jason) Nevel of Springfield and their daughter, Emaline Malea and Breann Rose (and Matt) Weaver of Colchester and their children Easton David and Jaxon Robert.

He was preceded in death by one brother, James Evan Stauffer; and one sister, Nancy Lynne Stauffer.

He spent the first 14 years of life in the village of Oceola in Eastern Schuyler County (also known as Bader), moving to Rushville in 1943. He graduated from Rushville High School with the class of 1946. In high school he worked at Mickleberrys and stoked the fire for Owen Jackson’s Shoe Store before school.

He enlisted in the United States Army Corps in October 1946 and served during the Cold War Era. He was trained as an instructor in jet engine technology with General Motors in Indianapolis, Ind., and General Electric in Lynn, Mass. He trained pilots and mechanics in the theory of jet propulsion and maintenance of the jet engines that were just coming in to service. He was a member of a B-45 Mobile Training Unit, the world’s first jet bomber, attached to the 47th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force. He served at Chanute AFB in Rantoul, Biggs AFB in El Paso, Texas, and Barksdale, LA AFB.

After discharge on Oct. 2, 1949, he started working life as a turkey plucker at Cudahy Packing, then worked for Green Coal Co. in Western, Ill., Walter Houston Painting, McGraw Edison of Macomb and L.A. Ward Construction of Rushville. Later he worked at the Rushville Post Office, retiring as a supervisor in 1989. He served on the Rushville Public Library Board, Schuy-Rush Park Board and Schuyler County Food Basket.

He was an advisor for Explorer Post 35. He was a Rules of the Road instructor for 20 years. After retirement he became a private pilot and had some skydiving training. He also was a member of AOPA, NRA and Schuyler Shooters.

Funeral services were held Tuesday at Worthington Funeral Home in Rushville with Reverend Stacy Tomich officiating. Burial was held in Rushville City Cemetery with Military Honors by Schuyler American Legion Post #4 and U. S. Air Force Honors Detail.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Schuyler County Food Basket or Rushville Public Library.

Condolences may be sent to www.worthingtonfh.com.

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 3/22/2023