Robert "Bob" Wilhite Obituary

Robert “Bob” Wilhite, 85, of Russell, passed away on December 22, 2015 at Legacy Lodge Hospice in Chariton, Iowa. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, December 24, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Interment will follow at the Confidence Cemetery. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 23, 2015 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Chariton Grace Baptist Church Missionary Fund.

Robert Clifford Wilhite was born on August 28, 1930 to Earl and Carrie Wilhite in Corwith, Iowa. Bob was one of seven sons born to the couple. He attended country school for six years and then attended Corwith High School. He played basketball during his high school years and graduated in 1948. After graduation, Bob helped his dad on the farm.

On September 29, 1950, Bob was united in marriage to Alice Unger in Russell, Iowa. To this union four children were born: Cathy, Jerry, Terry and Ricky. Bob and Alice lived in Des Moines for the first five years of marriage and moved five times during those years. They then purchased a farm in Wayne County. It was a four room farmhouse without indoor plumbing. Bob and Alice made many improvements to the home over the years. 

Bob was a hard worker and held several jobs over the years. He worked at the Arnold Brothers Lumber Yard and Cement Plant in Russell for fourteen years. He was an Egg Plant employee in Russell for Dwight Curtis for a year. In October of 1969, Bob began working at the Hy-Vee Distribution Center in Chariton. His three sons also worked there during their summer breaks to earn money for college. The guys at work would say, “Here comes Bob and his crew." Bob worked for Hy-Vee for twenty nine and half years until his cancer scare. He then retired and spent time mowing yards.

Bob accepted Christ as his Savior on a Monday morning at the end of a row in a cornfield. He heard the gospel the previous night in church, was convicted, and asked his pastor for guidance that Monday. The pastor was the crew leader for the detasslers. Bob and his wife have thoroughly enjoyed attending Grace Baptist in Chariton for the last ten years.

Bob was a member of the Russell Baptist Church for fifty years. He wore many hats in the church: Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Deacon, Trustee and Clerk. He attended many state and national G.A.R.B. meetings. His faith was very important to him. He was very proud to call two of his brothers Pastor.

Bob and Alice called their farm south of Russell “Hilltop Hollow." For ten years they hosted campouts there. Friends from their church would come every year to gather around the bonfire and every year the crowd would grow. 

Bob enjoyed his vacations by going on trips with his friends, Guy and Evelyn Buttz. He had the privilege of visiting all fifty states and most of Canada’s provinces. Lots of wonderful memories were made on their trips.

Bob is survived by his wife of 65 years, Alice Wilhite, of Russell; children: Cathy Burkland of Unionville, Jerry Wilhite (Deborah) of Emmaus, PA, and Terry Wilhite (Sharon) of Eldridge; brothers, Merle Wilhite (Darlene) and Don Wilhite, both of Des Moines; sister-in-law, Beverly Wilhite of Britt; 22 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Carrie Wilhite; son, Ricky Robert Wilhite; and brothers: Cecil, Kenneth, Orlan and Jim.