Harridge, Robert L. – 1926-2010

BILLINGTON, CLINE, CRAIG, GROSHEK, HARRIDGE, PIMBLOTT, ROBERTS, SMITH, VOSBURG, WARLAND

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 12/27/2010 at 18:01:55

Robert L. Harridge, 84, of South Bend, Ind., passed away at 4:15 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010, in Hospice House of Elkhart, Ind.
Robert was born June 23, 1926, in Mitchellville, Iowa, to the late William and Clarice (Smith) Harridge. On Feb. 4, 1949, he married Beverly Cline in Mitchellville. She survives along with a son, Steven Harridge of Mitchellville, Iowa; a daughter, Nancy (Simon) Harridge-Pimblott of Carnforth, Lancashire, England; four grandchildren, Jenny (Brad) Craig of Urbandale, Iowa, Jared (Jessica) Harridge of Des Moines, Iowa, Robyn (Jacob) Groshek of Troy, Ohio and Erin (John) Billington of Nolensville, Tenn.; five great-grandchildren, Sam and Jack Craig, Grace and John Thomas Billington and Lucy Groshek; two sisters, Audrey Warland of Webster City, Iowa, and Karen (Louis) Vosburg of Manson, Iowa; a brother, Gary Roberts of Cape Cod, Mass.; and a sister-in-law, Rose Roberts, also of Cape Cod, Mass.
Robert honorably and proudly served his country in the United States Army during World War II. He retired as a journeyman pipe fitter from the Maytag Company in Newton, Iowa. After his “retirement” at Maytag, Bob worked at the Farmers Savings (Legacy) Bank in Mitchellville and Bondurant as a maintenance man and gardener. Bob was known as quite a practical joker, and he and his buddies were all known to have a “bit of good natured fun.” Bob loved gardening, barbecuing and wood-working in crafts and making furniture. Bob was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Mitchellville; a member of the Veterans of Foreign War (V.F.W.); and a member of the American Legion in Mitchellville.
Both Bob and Bev were big supporters of the Mitchellville Community Centre. Bob and Bev would have been married 62 years this coming February. Bob lived in Mitchellville for 71 years, and he and Bev moved from Mitchellville to Mesa, Ariz., and then to South Bend, Ind., making new friends wherever they went. Bob had a great love for life and loved his family dearly, including his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Visitation was on Sunday, Dec. 19, at Hamilton’s Altoona Funeral Home, 105 Fourth St. S.W., Altoona, Iowa. A funeral service was celebrated at 11 a.m. today, Dec. 20, at the First United Methodist Church, 200 Second Ave. N.W., Mitchellville, Iowa. Burial with military honors will follow at Mitchellville Cemetery, Mitchellville.
Because of Bob’s granddaughter, Erin, who has type I diabetes, memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004; First United Methodist Church, 200 Second St. N.W., Mitchellville, IA 50169; or to the Mitchellville Community Centre, 114 Center Ave. N., Mitchellville, IA 50169.
Source: Newton Daily News; Monday, December 20, 2010