VanVoorhis, Robert – 1931-2009

COLBY, DOLLOFF, FIELDS, KETRON, KNAPP, O’HERRON, SHECKELTON, SUTHERLAND, THOMPSON, VANVOORHIS

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 4/10/2009 at 14:09:14

Robert Bryon VanVoorhis, the son of Richard and Ruth (Sutherland) VanVoorhis, was born July 4, 1931, in Pleasant Valley, N.Y. He was united in marriage to Arlene Lucy Dolloff Colby on March 12, 1988, in Ocala, Fla.
Robert served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He devoted his energies to cross country trucking, and eventually owned his own business. Following a life-changing accident he turned his talents to furniture making and restoration. He was generous, friendly, enjoyed telling a good story, and always kept his sense of humor, no matter what the circumstance.
Robert died at the age of 77 on Monday, April 7, 2009, at Heritage manor in Newton.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and an infant daughter.
Those left to honor Robert’s memory include his wife, Arlene of Newton; three sons, Robert Jr., Thomas and Scott, all of Fishkill, N.Y.; two daughters, Cheryl O’Herron of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. and Kim Ketron of Auburn, Mass.; three stepchildren, Pamela Thompson of Baxter, Eric Colby of Windham, Maine, and Aleck Colby of Lenox; 13 grandchildren; one great-grandson; three brothers, Richard VanVoorhis of Pleasant Valley, N.Y., Roy VanVoorhis of Millbrook, N.Y., and Thomas VanVoorhis of Moscow, Idaho; and three sisters, Margo Sheckelton of Poughkeepsie, M.Y., Margie Knapp of Martinsville, Va.; and Alice Fields of Henry, Va.
Memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Community Heights Alliance Church of Newton.
Memorials in Robert’s name can be made to Hospice of Jasper County and Community Heights Alliance Church.
Source: Newton Daily News; Wednesday, April 8, 2009