Robert "Bob" Dewey

Robert B. “Bob” Dewey, age 91, of Ligonier, IN and Sun City, AZ passed away Sunday, August 13, 2017 at his Ligonier home with his wife, Betty by his side.  Bob was born at home on May 6, 1926 to Jesse & Eva (Hardesty) Dewey in Ligonier. He graduated from Ligonier High School and served his country honorable in the United States Air Force during WWII. In 1946, he married Marilyn Schlabach; she preceded him in death in 2003. In 2011, he married Elizabeth McDonald Peterson; she survives.

Bob farmed the Schlabach family farm for four years and then worked for Snap-On-Tools and Surge Milking Co. He then became a sales promotion manager for Allis-Chalmers. In 1988, he retired after over 30 years of service and moved to Arizona. Bob was Santa Claus for 40 years, making peanut brittle and distributing it to local nursing homes and the neighborhoods where he lived.

Bob loved music. As a young boy, his family joined his sister around the piano to sing together. He also sang in the Ligonier Methodist Church choir at a young age. From 1950 to 1954, he sang with the Herman Sack Orchestra at the Pickwick Lounge in Syracuse, Indiana. After moving to Arizona, he sang with the choir at the Sun City Congregation Church.

Survivors include his wife, Betty; a daughter, Pam (Mike) Rindo; a daughter-in-law, Sue Dewey; four granddaughters; and two great-granddaughters; along with three step-children; nine step-grandchildren; and twenty step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, Dan; his first wife, Marilyn; his parents; two sisters, Janis and Martha; and a step-sister, Millie Leming.

A memorial service will be held in Bob’s honor at 2 PM on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at Yeager Funeral Home, 1589 Lincolnway South; Ligonier, IN 46767. Pastor Jean Ness will officiate. Burial will follow at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to the Ligonier Visitor and Convention Bureau, PO BOX 353; Ligonier, IN 46767.

Yeager Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.yeagerfuneralhome.com