Statler Family Obituaries
Smith, Robert Rowan
Robert Rowan Smith, 73, of Millersville died Thursday Dec. 18, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.
He was born Oct. 8, 1941, in Millersville, to Lloyd Lilburn and Sarah Josephine Smith. He and Betty Polen were married May 27, 1961, at Caney Fork Baptist Church.
Robert started working at the age of 15 for Maple Miller at the Millersville Garage. He later purchased the garage from Mr. Miller and operated it till the mid-'80s.
In 1986, Robert went to work for the Jackson School District as the head bus mechanic and also drove a bus route until he retired in 2012.
He was and member and former president of Public Water District No. 2. He also was a founding member and former fire chief of 26 years with the Millersville Fire Department. He was a member of Caney Fork Baptist Church. Robert also farmed in the Cape Girardeau County area most of his life.
Robert is survived by his wife, Betty of Millersville; two sons, Robert (Beth) Smith of Millersville and Daniel (Debbie) Smith of Jackson; one daughter, Sherri (Glen) Stairs of Millersville; three sisters, Naida (Adrian) Wills Jr. of Millersville, Nelta Haupt of Millersville and Neidra Borchelt of Shawneetown; six grandchildren, Rebecca Smith, Kelci Weter, Brittney Crossett, Kyle Stone, Shelby Smith and Christopher Stairs; and three great-grandchildren, Kamryn and Reece Weter and Callan Crossett.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother and sister-in-law Donald (Joan) Smith; and two brothers-in-law, Loy Haupt and Don Borchelt.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home in Jackson.
Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with the Rev. Morris Cobb officiating. Burial will be in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.
Memorials may be made to Caney Fork Cemetery fund.
Printed in the Sunday, December 21, 2014 edition of the Southeast Missourian, Cape Girardeau, MO.
©2015 by David Statler of StatlerWeb