Robert "Bob" Anthony, age 91 of Lexington, died June 6, 2012 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.
Charles Robert Anthony was born May 10, 1921 at Lexington, Nebraska to Luther Francis and Elizabeth Mary (Peters) Anthony, the youngest of 5 children. His first nine years of school were at District North 22, and he went on to graduate from Lexington High School in 1938. Bob attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for a year, where he received honors in Livestock Judging.
Subsequent to his schooling, Bob returned home before entering the U.S. Army in 1942. Bob faithfully served his country as a member of the 242nd Field Artillery Battalion during WWII as a Machine Gun and Ammunition Sergeant. Bob was one of the 23,000 troops that comprised the invasion force on Utah Beach, which was the westernmost landing point during the Battle of Normandy. Bob and his Battalion were in combat for 240 straight days, until he was wounded on October 1st during the Battle of the Foret de Parroy. After 15 months in military hospitals, Bob was honorably discharged in 1945, and returned home to farm with his father.
On September 10, 1950, Bob married Mary Jane Oldfather, and their union was blessed with 3 children, Janet Marie, Anna Louise and Timothy Charles.
They made their home on a farm northwest of Lexington, where they farmed and fed cattle.
Bob was an active member of his church and society. In 1979, he even served as the delegate from the Nebraska Central Platte Presbytery to the National General Assembly in San Diego. He often toiled for months trying to get supply ministers for the Buffalo Grove Presbyterian Church. He also enjoyed membership in the Lexington Rotary Club, the Dawson County Fair Board, the rural fireworks committee and many church boards. He rode with the Plum Creekers, and had served as a speaker at the National Longhorn Association Seminar at Austin, Texas. Aside from his family, cattle feeding and the people he dealt with were his love. Bob had many lifelong friends in the cattle industry that never had contracts for the business they conducted, as honesty was a binding element in his life and relationships.
In his later years Bob's health began to decline, but he continued to work every day as he could.
Bob loved his family, his life and his work; and all were good to him in return.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; and 3 brothers, Harold, Francis, and Roland "Dutch".
Survivors include his wife, Mary Jane Anthony of Lexington; 2 daughters, Janet Marie (David) Quitmeyer of Lexington, Anna Louise (Galen) Stehlik of Grand Island; son, Timothy Charles (Marita) Anthony of Lexington; 6 grandchildren, Katie (Slim) Reece of Harrison, Casey (Crystal) Quitmeyer of Lexington, Mitchell Stehlik and fiancée Erin VanOstrand of Grand Island, Antonia (Noe) Mendez of Grand Island, Betsey (Matt) Heidrich of Lincoln and Courtney Anthony of Lexington; sister, Hazel Anthony of Lincoln; 2 sisters-in-law, Lois Anthony & Dorothy Oldfather both of Lexington; and many other relatives and friends.
A memorial has been established in his memory. Condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. Memorial services will be on Monday, June 11, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Cozad with Pastors Doug Smith and Tess Hufford officiating. A private family inurnment will be held in the Hewitt Cemetery prior to the memorial service. There will be no visitation. Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad is in charge of arrangements.
