Robert J. “Bob” Vickers
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Robert J. “Bob” Vickers, age 100 years and 5 months of Clarence, Missouri, passed away on February 7, 2023 at the Clarence Care Center, where he had been living for more than eight years. Bob was born to Robert Lewis and Hallie Mae (Wickham) Vickers on August 13, 1922, on the family farm in Hagers Grove, north of Clarence, MO.
Bob graduated from Clarence High School in 1941 and then attended the University of Missouri in Columbia until volunteering with the United States Army Air Corp to proudly serve during World War II. After training as both a Bombardier and Navigator, he was stationed in England and had a rank of 1st Lieutenant. On his 28th mission, his plane was shot down over Germany, and he was taken prisoner for eight and a half months. In spite of this adversity, his patriotism continued throughout his life.
Upon returning home from the war in June 1945, Bob was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Helen Irene Peterman. They bought a farm south of Clarence and shared 55 years of a loving spiritual marriage together. Bob loved his lifelong career of farming and worked as an adult alongside his son and brother-in-law. He always enjoyed hearing about farm news. He was an inventor and was skilled at repairing and creating useful items and loved spending time outdoors.
His faith provided a firm foundation from a young age. Bob was baptized in the Salt River at Hagers Grove as a young boy. He was a member and served many roles in the Clarence Christian Church. Bob was also active in the community throughout his adult life and served in numerous agriculture and community organizations.
He was very proud of his family and enjoyed spending time with them. Bob was a loving husband, caring father, grandfather and great grandfather. In addition to his family, he has made an impact on many lives. Bob consistently modeled an attitude of thankfulness. He always found a reason to be thankful regardless of the circumstances. Bob’s sweet spirit and fun, joking nature was a blessing to many. His smiling face, easy laugh and loving heart will be missed.
Bob is survived by his son Robert L. “Bob” (Rita) Vickers of Wentzville, MO; daughter Deborah “Debbie” (Dennis) Williams of Clarence, MO; Granddaughters Julie (Fred) Stemme of Saint Charles, MO, Lori (Craig) Rehmert of Fairbank, IA, Staci (Byron) McLelland of Macon, MO; Heidi (Chris) Dimmitt of Monroe City, MO and Tiffany (Ryan) Schwada of Lenter, MO. Eleven Great-Grandchildren, Jacob, Erin and Kaitlyn Stemme; Chloe, Lydia and Corrine Rehmert; Blythe and Blaire McLelland; Kemper and Perri Dimmitt; Reid Schwada; along with many relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife Helen on July 15, 2000; parents, Bob and Hallie Vickers; sisters Evelyn and brother in law Anderson Meadows; Edythe and brother in law Raymond McDuffee.
The celebration of life services will be held at 12 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at the First Christian Church in Clarence, MO. The family will welcome friends for visitation from 10 am to 12 pm at the church prior to the service. Burial, with full military honors, will be at the Maplewood Cemetery in Clarence, MO. Memorials may be made to the Clarence Christian Church, Clarence VFW, Clarence Care Center, or Clarence Maplewood Cemetery.