Robert Bruce McClurkin

Robert B. (Bob) McClurkin, 93, of Grand Island died Wednesday, June 11, 2014 at Grand Island Veterans’ Home. Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church. Rev. Jack Gillam will officiate. Burial of ashes will be at Cameron Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Army and the Shelton Legion. Gathering of family and friends will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday at All Faiths Funeral Home. Bob was born May 4, 1921 in a farmhouse north of Shelton, the son of Samuel and Vera (Likes) McClurkin. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Ruth; four daughters, Barbara Lucas of Kearney, Christine Scott (Earl Fosler) of Milford, Marilyn (Rick) Roenfeldt of Ashburn, Virginia and Lisa McClurkin Vargason (Larry Hoins) of Crete and son, Steven (Terri) McClurkin of Grand Island. Those also left to cherish his memory include eight grandsons, Geoffrey (Kayla) Roenfeldt of Kearny, Trevor Vargason of Lincoln, Trenton (Whitney) Vargason of Lincoln, Jorma Lucas of Kansas City, Skye Lucas of Kearney, Daniel (Amber) Scott of Kearney, David Scott of Lincoln and Jesse Runge of Grand Island; ten great grandchildren, Jordane of Sutton, Stephen of Kansas City, Veah of Kearney, Heidi and Holly of Kearney, Branden and Mya of Lincoln, Ashton and Macy of Kearney and Tucker of Lincoln. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Sam Jr.; two sisters, Eleanor and Lavon; and an infant daughter, Marlena Louise. Bob grew up on the family farm north of Shelton. He attended Shelton high School and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, graduating from college in 1943. He entered the United States Army in 1943, and was honorably discharged in 1946, serving in the 3rd Army under General Patton, assigned to the 758th Field Artillery. His unit engaged the enemy at the Huertgen Forest in the drive to rescue the brave soldiers at Bastogne and met the Russian Army of the Elbe River. Promoted to Captain on April 1, 1945, he was in charge of the train station at Frankfurt under the Marshall Plan in 1946. Robert was united in marriage to Ruth Elaine McDaniel on June 25, 1950. From this union there were six children, five daughters and a son. The couple farmed north of Shelton through 1979, before moving to Grand Island. Bob was employed at the Lutheran Hospital, where he kept the power on during the June 3, 1980 tornado disaster and later worked at Trinity Lutheran School. Robert enjoyed reading, westerns, especially ‘Louis L’Amour’, fishing and being outdoors. However, he delighted in his beloved wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran School.

Robert Bruce McClurkin

May 4, 1921 - June 11, 2014

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Robert Bruce McClurkin

May 4, 1921 - June 11, 2014

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support