Robert Eugene Gillespie, 93, of Wabash, Indiana, passed into the arms of Jesus on Friday, July 12, 2019 at his home. He was born September 21, 1925 in Wabash, to Vernon and Dorothy (Malott) Gillespie.
Bob was a 1943 graduate of Lagro High School. He married Ines M. Brewer in Bluffton, Indiana on April 30, 1950; she died March 7, 2017. Bob was a grain and hog farmer 30 years, before moving to Wabash in 1983. His 57 year career as an insurance and securities agent continued until his death. He was an agent with Farm Bureau Insurance from 1962-1979, and in July 1979 he became an independent agent. Bob was a Certified Life Underwriter and was a member of the National Association of Life Underwriters since 1962. He was a former member of Asbury Church and a current member of the First United Methodist Church in Wabash, where he served on the Mission Committee, and was a 15 year lay delegate to the United Methodist Annual Conference. Bob was active with Paradise Springs and served on the board several years. He was a 73 year member of the Masonic Lodge, a 50 year member of the Fort Wayne Scottish Rite, 30 year member of the Mizpah Shrine, and was a member and secretary/treasurer of the Wabash Shrine Club. He was proud to be a Shriner, and went with many bus loads of Wabash County 4th graders to the Shrine Circus. He received the Scottish Rite Meritorious Service Award. He also was a Past Grand Patron of the Indiana Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, a life member of the National American Hunting Club, and a member of the NRA. Bob raised many types of flowers, particularly roses. His roses adorned many tables and brightened hospital rooms. He exercised at the YMCA on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, even the day he died.
He is survived by three sons, Dr. Ron (Grace) Gillespie of West Lafayette, Indiana, Dr. Tom (Denise) Gillespie of Battle Ground, Indiana, and Phil (Cheryl) Gillespie of Fort Wayne, Indiana, eight grandchildren, Chris (Anne) Gillespie of Random Lake, Wisconsin, Amanda Goodspeed of West Lafayette, Rebecca (Chris) Rowan, and Kevin (Bonnie) Gillespie, both of Lafayette, Indiana, Matt (Erin) Gillespie of Whitestown, Indiana, Kendra (Curt) Pogue of Morocco, Indiana, Rachel Parteko of Ossian, Indiana, and Andy Gillespie of Fort Wayne, 25 great grandchildren, and his sister-in-law, Margie Gillespie of Wabash. He was also preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Ramon Gillespie.
Funeral services will be 10:30 am Saturday, June 20, 2019 at First United Methodist Church, 110 N. Cass Street, Wabash, with Pastors Nathan Whybrew and John Cook officiating. Burial will be in Matlock Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call 2-7pm Friday, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Ave., Wabash and one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church. There will be a Masonic service at 7:00 pm, Friday.
Preferred memorial is First United Methodist Church or the Shriner’s Hospital for Children.
The memorial guest book for Bob may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.