Robert "Bob" Arthur Stottlemyre

Bob Stottlemyre, 93, of Unionville, MO, passed away at his home in Kirksville on Monday, September 4, 2017.

Robert Arthur Stottlemyre was born in Spickard, MO, on August 30, 1924, the son of Lee O. and Esther V. (Smith) Stottlemyre, who preceded him in death. He was reared in the Spickard/Humphreys area until the family moved to Putnam County, MO. Bob entered the United States Army during World War II and served until his honorable discharge in 1946, earning the rank of sergeant. He married Donna Clark on May 8, 1946, while still in the service. They later returned to Putnam County and began married life on a farm.

Bob was engaged in a number of enterprises, including owning and operating feed stores in northern Missouri and southern Iowa. He and Donna opened the Tastee Freeze in Unionville in 1956 and also opened one in Stanberry, MO. The Stottlemyres had other retail businesses in Unionville, including a jewelry store, a flower shop, and a bridal boutique. Bob is probably best known as the smiling face behind the meat counter at Hy-Vee. He did three different stints with Hy-Vee, the last one in Unionville from 1968 until his retirement in 1989. Even in his retirement, he filled in for vacationing meat cutters at several stores.

Bob was very active in his community and his church. He served on the Putnam County school board for 16 years, many of those as president. He was on the school board when the new facility was built in the 1970’s. He served on the “Chain Gang” at Unionville football games for many years. Bob was also a deacon for over 40 years at First Baptist Church in Unionville. Bob loved God and loved people and he left a legacy of faith for his family, whom he dearly loved. He especially loved his grandkids and liked to take them fishing. He was always interested in their lives and the lives of his great grandchildren. He and Donna moved from Unionville to Kirksville in 2008 to be nearer to family.

Bob is survived by his children, Roger Stottlemyre and wife Connie of Lee’s Summit, MO, Amber Lupton and husband David of Kirksville, MO, and Tammy Childers and husband Doug of Green City, MO. Eleven grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren also survive as well as a brother, Kenneth Stottlemyre and his wife Sandy of Unionville, MO.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Donna (on May 30, 2014), two brothers, Virgil and Vern Stottlemyre, four sisters, Amber Humphreys, Maxine Noblet, Velda Schelp, and Ilene Sylvester, one grandson Tyler Childers, and one great-granddaughter Allyson Phillips.

Funeral services for Bob Stottlemyre will be at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, at 9:00 am on Thursday, September 7, 2017. Visitation will be from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Wednesday, September 6. Interment will be at the Unionville Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Northeast Missouri and may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565