Robert E. “Bob” McPherson, 88, of West Liberty, passed away peacefully at 6:10 p.m., on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at his home to be with his Lord and Savior. He was born in Logan County, Ohio on August 29, 1936, to the late Norman Emery and Vernice Waunita (Hurley) McPherson.
On June 24, 1956, he married Shirley J. (Stuber) McPherson, and she survives.
He is also survived by his children, Steven (Beth) McPherson of Panama City, Florida, Debra Butler of Bellefontaine, and Linda (Greg) Linville of Pinehurst, North Carolina; son-in-law, John Kerns of North Ridgeville, Ohio; grandchildren, Wes (Abby) Kerns, Shawn (Tiffany) Kerns, Jennifer (Michael) Landry, Christina (Jesse) Beaird, Dana Mullins, Michael LeVan III, and Adam (Jenny) Butler; 12 great grandchildren; and siblings, Karen (Bradley) Weidenhamer of Ashland, Ohio, Michael (Shirley) McPherson of Lewistown, Phyllis (Larry) Jerviss of Huntsville; Jeanie (John) Shultz of Ashland, Ohio, Evelyn (Jim) Hurley of Lewistown, Marcia (Dale) Stoffer of Ashland, Ohio, and Herb (Tracy) McPherson of Huntsville.
Along with Bob’s parents, he was also preceded in death by a daughter, Coral Kerns; and siblings, Janice Carol McPherson, Jim McPherson, and John McPherson.
Bob was a 1954 graduate of Huntsville High School, where he was a member of the basketball team. Bob spent 30 plus years as a Truck Driver. He drove over a million miles without an accident and was presented with a safety award for doing so. Bob also farmed in various phases of his life, but the most satisfying was the 38 years he farmed his property off County Road 130 in Bellefontaine. Bob was a member of Gretna Brethren Church for 68 years. He stated his greatest accomplishment in life was inviting the Pastor to share the gospel with his parents and siblings, which created so much love and happiness. He also served as a Harrison Township Trustee for over 15 years.
One of Bob’s greatest joys was music. As a teenager he purchased a mail order guitar. He was a member of the Jim Greer and The Mac-o-Chee Valley Folks, an accomplished bluegrass band that recorded 6 albums. Bob played the guitar and sang lead vocals. He wrote 6 songs in his teens that were included on their albums. The group formed in the late 1950s and published their first album, “Bluegrass in Ohio” in 1963. They performed in the Tri-State area for 10 years and on the radio station WWVA, in Wheeling, West Virginia for 3 years. The band had a resurgence with local fans starting in 2002. During this period, his wife joined the group to sing high tenor.
Bob was a lifelong fan of Ohio State Buckeye football and basketball. His favorite professional teams were the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals. Bob enjoyed discussing farming and current events. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Visitation will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, September 15, at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 321 N. Main Street, Bellefontaine. Pastor Rob Starnes will officiate a funeral service at 11 a.m. Monday, September 16, at Gretna Brethren Church, 1564 Township Road 46, Bellefontaine. Burial will follow in Huntsville Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gretna Brethren Church, 1564 Township Road 46, Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311.
Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Bellefontaine, is honored to serve the McPherson family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.
