ROBERT EARL PROFFITT

Robert Earl Proffitt, 95, Richmond, MO., passed away Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at the Shirkey Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Richmond.
Robert (Bob) was born to Charles H. and Anna Lee (Kerns) Proffitt, in Ray County MO, on September 12, 1918.
In 1941, he joined the CCC's, and worked with them for about a year. He worked for the Wilson Packing House, before joining the Army, the end of 1942. In 1942, he married Mary Frances McElwee. They divorced in 1960. In the Army, he served in World War II, in both the European and Pacific Theater, and was discharged the end of 1945. He worked at General Motors for about a year, and in 1947, tried his hand at farming. In 1948, he moved to Rayville, MO and started working at the Staley Feed Mill, in North Kansas City, MO. He worked there until 1972, when they closed. In 1960, he married Eula Beryl Proffitt. In 1972, after taking a lengthy trip to Alaska, he started working at the Vickers gas station, on Highway 10. He finished his working career at the Richmond CO-OP station. He moved to Donna, Texas and lived there for 7 years, when he returned to Richmond, and lived at the Richmond Manor. Robert was especially proud of his military service and enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and hunting. He liked traveling, camping and boating, although he never learned to swim! He had a green thumb, and liked gardening and growing flowers.
He was preceded by his wife, Beryl; his parents; and one daughter, Roberta Proffitt. He was also preceded by 5 siblings, Charles R. Proffitt, Melvin Proffitt, Hazel Lockling, Lena Shelton, Alvin C. Proffitt; and step-grandsons, Michael Whitten and Monty Happy.
Robert in survived by his three daughters, Mary Ann Allard of Gardner, KS, Alice Osborn and her husband, Richard of Clarinda, IA and Linda Owen and her husband, Ernie of Clarinda, IA; grandchildren, Tracey Lambert, Kent Allard, Nicki Hughes, Wendy Hiser, Timothy and Robert Owen; nine great- grandchildren and one great-great- granddaughter; two sisters, Milly Hewitt of Waterloo, IA and Janet Green of Norborne, MO; stepchildren, Norman Happy and his wife Sue of Excelsior Springs, MO, Robert Happy of Excelsior Springs, MO and Emogene Whitten and her husband John of Blair, NE; and 5 step-grandchildren.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Crowley Cemetery Association.


Funeral service will be held on Friday, November 15, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond. Visitation will be Friday, November 15, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Thurman Funeral Home. Burial will be in Crowley Cemetery in Rayville, MO where military honors will be provided by the Ray County Veterans. On line condolences may be left on our website at www.thurmanfuneralhome.com