Bob Wolfinger, 91

Robert R. (Bob) Wolfinger, age 91, of Burr Oak, passed away Saturday, October 26th, 2013 at his home. Bob was born in Constantine, MI on October 27, 1921, a son of Samson and Amanda (Smith) Wolfinger. Bob attended School in Constantine, MI and served in the U.S. Army during WW II serving in the European Campaign in Africa, Sicily and Italy. On July 19, 1947 Bob married Evelyn L. Sawyer in Syracuse, IN. She preceded him in death February 22, 1993. On April 4, 2009 he married Josephine (Mull) Stevens in Sturgis, MI.

He worked at Elkhart Brass for 26 1/2 years and for the SECO Manufacturing Co. in Wauseon, OH. He later retired from Better Products in Elkhart in 1993.

Bob was a member of the NRA, and the American Legion Post # 210, Middlebury, IN. He was a world renowned horseshoe pitcher having won several tournaments and World Championships. He was inducted into the Indiana Horseshoe Pitchers Assoc. Hall of Fame in 1999. For his years of commitment the Bob Wolfinger Classic was named in his honor and held every September in Middlebury. Bob was a former member of the Grace Bible Church in New Paris, IN.

Surviving are his wife Josephine Wolfinger, Burr Oak, daughter Brenda Wolfinger of Wauseon, OH, sons Gerald (Mary) Wolfinger of Muskegon, MI, David (Dianne) Wolfinger of Delta, OH, step daughters Grace Potter, Norma Rollins, Patsy Wolfinger, Casey Green, step sons Clinton Cole, Alan Cole, James Wolfinger, George Wolfinger, and Tyrel Schodowski, 4 grandchildren, 1 great grandchildren, a special niece Elenore (George) Sura of Phillipsburg, PA. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Evelyn, sisters Maggie Evans, Mae Wolfinger, Lydia Wolfinger, Mary Schench, and Gladys Collinsworth, brothers Charles, Clifford, Herman, Chester and George Wolfinger Sr.

Relatives and friends will be received Thursday from 10 am to 1 pm at the Eley Funeral Home in Constantine, MI where Religious Services will follow at 1 pm Thursday. Graveside services will be at Syracuse Cemetery in Syracuse, IN, at 3:30 pm Thursday. Memorial contributions may be made to Middlebury Horseshoe Pitchers Assoc. Online messages may be left for the family at www.eleyfunealhomes.com.