Robert James Cover Sr. , Grace Village Retirement Community, Winona Lake, passed away at 6:05 a.m. Friday, Dec. 22, 2017, at Grace Village Health Care at the age of 85.
He was born May 19, 1931, in Modesto, Calif., to James David Cover and Elizabeth Wagner Cover. On July 3, 1953, he was married to Joene Ladeen Toon, who survives.
Robert served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1957 during the Korean conflict. He graduated from Bob Jones University, Greenville, S.C., and Grace College and Seminary, Winona Lake. He was a teacher, principal, pastor and missionary for the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. His passion was music and children. He loved his family and had a passion for the Lord and people.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 64 years, Joene Ladeen Cover, Winona Lake; two daughters, Viki (John) Rife, Warsaw, and Lynette (James) Lowe, Okeechobee, Fla.; and two sons: Robert (Lisa) Cover Jr., Warsaw, and David (Sandra) Cover, Richland, Mich. Robert also leaves behind his beloved eight grandchildren: Kelly Bowers, San Diego, Calif.; Laura Hoffard, San Antonio, Texas; James Rife, Jefferson, Maine; Robert Cover III, Warsaw; Timothy Cover, Warsaw; Ladeen Zielasko, Warsaw; Stephen Cover, Dayton, Ohio; and Kristine Bowen, Gull Lake, Mich.; and 14 great-grandchildren: Natalie and Luke Bowers; Ben, Micah and Jacob Hoffard; Carver and Eva Rife; Emma, Abigail, Isabelle and Moses Cover; and Valarie, John Elijah and Elana Zielasko. Also surviving are one brother, Richard (Carol) Cover, Saint Paul, Minn.; and two sisters, Betty Thompson, Modesto, Calif., Nancy Ames, Louisville, Ky.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, one sister and one great-granddaughter.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 26, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.
His funeral service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27, at the funeral home, officiated by Chaplain Bryan Benjamin. Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
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Memorials to Grace Village Health Care, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, IN 46590.
Condolences may be sent at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.
