Robert Pelke

Robert “Bob” C. Pelke, 93, of Prosperity went home to be with the Lord on January 10, 2013 at Lexington Medical Center.

Born on October 28, 1919, in Gary, Indiana, Bob was a World War II veteran and a graduate of Purdue University, receiving a degree in mechanical Engineering. He retired from Acme Steel Mill in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to Springhill, Florida, becoming a member at Blessed Hope Baptist Church. For twenty years Bob was a devoted servant to the Body of Christ, looking for opportunities to minister, and loving His Savior through serving others. After moving to Prosperity in 2004, he joined First Baptist and continued to be a blessing and encouragement to everyone he met and was affectionately known as “Grandpa” to the congregation. Mr. Pelke is predeceased by his father, Oscar Hugh Pelke, his mother, Dorothy Carrouthers Pike, his step-mother, Ruth Elizabeth Pelke, and his granddaughter, Jeannie McKay.

He is survived by his wife, Lola Ruth Lofland Pelke; a son, Bill Pelke of Anchorage, AL; a daughter, Dottie (Frank) McKay of Prosperity; a sister, Ruth Weyhe of Valparaiso, IN; grandchildren, Kim (Ed) West, Scott (Jean) McKay, Andy (Amy) McKay, Nathan McKay, Harrieshia McKay, Colin McKay, Robert E. (Tammy) Pelke, Christina Pelke and Rebecca (Curtis) Bixby; twelve grandchildren, twenty-five great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm, Sunday, January 13, 2013, at First Baptist Church of Prosperity. The family will receive friends one hour before the service at the church. The internment will be held at the Prosperity Cemetery on Highway 391 immediately following the service. Memorials may be made to Baptist Children's Home, 354 West Street, Suite 1, Valparaiso, IN 46383.

Active pallbearers will be Ed West, Scott McKay, Nathan McKay, Robert E. Pelke, Bob Fidler, and Don Shourd.

A memorial message may be written to the family by clicking the "Add Comment" link below.