Submitted by: Dan Rich

Robert M. Shepard

Nov. 29, 1946 - Dec. 8, 2001

South Bend Tribune 12/11/2001

Robert M. "Bob" Shepard, 55, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, died suddenly on Saturday, Dec. 8, of a massive heart attack. He was born Nov. 29, 1946, in Valparaiso, Ind., to the late Glenn and Ruth (Kelly) Shepard, and had lived in South Bend, Ind., since 1973, coming from Valparaiso.

On Oct. 5, 1974, in South Bend, he married Penny Edgerton Ferguson, who survives. He is also survived by his sons, Thomas Glenn (Sonya) Shepard of Clarkston, Mich., and Jason Patrick (Melissa) Shepard of South Bend; six grandchildren, Christopher, Cassandra, Corinn and Caroline of Clarkston, and Samantha and Kyle of South Bend; his brother, Steven Kettle of Valparaiso; his stepfather, Everett Lee Kettle of Crown Point, Ind.; three stepbrothers, Tom (Cheslyn) Kettle of Bridgman, Mich., Jerry (Donna) Kettle of Hobart, Ind., and Rick (Shara) Kettle of Milwaukee, Wis.; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Frank and Billie Edgerton of Lakeland, Fla.; his brothers-in-law, Tom (Carol) Edgerton of Lakeville, Ind., and Bob (Linda) Edgerton of Osceola, Ind.; and by numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Bob graduated from Gary Andrean High School and the South Bend College of Commerce. He also attended Indiana University at South Bend. He was currently employed as controller at Forsey Construction, South Bend, and had previously been employed for many years at the Baker Rubber Company. He was a member, Sunday School teacher, past trustee and past president of the First Christian Church of South Bend. He was also a member and past president of South Gateway Rotary Club, treasurer of Luvability Ministries, and was a member of Promise Keepers, Memorial Health and Lifestyle Center and Greyhound Companions. Above all, Bob loved God, his family and his church. He will be greatly missed.

A celebration of Bob's life will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday Dec. 13, in the First Christian Church of South Bend, with Rev. Bill Riggs, Rev. Larry Baker and Rev. Brad Hardesty officiating. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola, Ind. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, in the Welsheimer Funeral Home, 521 N. William Street, and one hour prior to the service in the church. In lieu of flowers, Bob and his family would prefer memorial contributions be made to the First Christian Church, 1101 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, IN 46617; or Luvability Ministries at the same address; or to the First Brethren Church, 4909 S. Ironwood Drive, South Bend, IN 46614.