July 28, 1926 ~ March 16, 2012
Bobby Gene Shoffner was born July 28, 1926 to James Melvin and Ethel Ancell Shoffner home place West of Renfrow, Oklahoma. Bob was the last of nine children born to J.M. & Ethel. Bob was also the last of all his siblings to attend the one room school near there farm, Prairie Home, District 18.
Bob grew up on the farm. His parents created a Christian home for their family and focused on raising responsible children and sacrificed for them. Bob accepted Christ as his Savior when he was 16 at the nearby Springdale Methodist Church where the family regularly attended. Bob currently was a member of the United Methodist Church of Caldwell. Bob attended high school at Wakita, Oklahoma and graduated with the Class of 1945.
Bob wrote “My fondest memories as a child was my dog Spotty. He would ride in a trailer I made which was tied to my wagon. We were real pals. Being the youngest of the family and no TV, my older siblings teased me about everything. Bill and Claude were the worst to tease me.”
When J.M. retired from the farm in 1947, Dale and Bob took over the farming responsibilities. Bob married Marilyn Scott of Ponca City on March 14th at the Caldwell Methodist Church Parsonage. To this union four children were born: James Melvin II; Jeff Scott, Laurie Robin, and Frank Lynn. Bob bought a farm west of Drury in 1960 where the growing family lived. Marilyn and Bob divorced in 1965. Bob and the four children stayed on the farm until 1969 when he sold the farm and moved to Caldwell.
Bob went to work for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in 1968. On December 10, 1969 as an agent it was through his work that he met the “most beautiful young widow named Rosalee McCoy Webster” Bob asked her to go with him to Enid, OK to a Metropolitan Life Insurance Christmas party on Friday December 12, 1969. She agreed and it must have been love at first sight. After dating for only 10 days Bob popped the question and Rosie accepted. They were married on February 28, 1970 at Stewert Chapel in Wellington. All their children were in attendance. Rosalee and her four children, Brad, Cathy, Jeff and Randy moved in with the Shoffner family. Eight was enough!
Bob worked for his brother Claude in the farm equipment, automobile, farming business. In March 1972, he went to work for CrustBuster Company of Spearville, Kansas, in the service department. Bob, Rosalee, Frank, Jeff and Randy moved to Spearville. In October, 1972, Bob was promoted to District manager. Throughout those years, Bob traveled in the eastern half of Kansas, part of Oklahoma, Missouri and Nebraska. He recalled that “CrustBuster was a great company to work for. They took great care of you. I was happy working with the farmers and dealers, a job I truly enjoyed.”
In 1982, Bob and Rosalee moved to Dodge City. Bob went to work for Brent Magourik Chevrolet-Olds as a salesman and later with Curtis Machine. When he retired, he had a lawn mowing service which he worked at for several years.
Bob and Roselee had several R.V.’s and enjoyed traveling all over the United States. They had a home for years on the Grand Lake at Grove Oklahoma and spent a lot of time there. Bob always took pleasure working in his yard.
In 1999, Bob and Rosalee sold their home in Dodge City and built a new home in Caldwell to be closer to their children. He enjoyed time spent in the Corner Cafe visiting with old friends. He loved people! Throughout the years, he and Rosalee entertained many friends and family in their home. Bob had a great sense of humor and could tell some good stories and never met a stranger.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents, James and Ethel Shoffner; brothers and their wives: Virgil and Norleen, Bill and Gladys, Claude and LaVeta, Dale and Nadine; sisters and their husbands: Stella and Ray Felling, Dorothy and Fred Bierig, Helen and Brad Carlton; brothers Kenneth Edward and Norman Paul; step son Brad Webster.
Bob is survived by his wife Rosalee of the home; children Jim Shoffner and wife Bonnie of Ponca City, OK; Jeff Shoffner and Becky Fick, Spring Hill, KS, Dr. Laurie and Dr. John Coyner of Wichita, KS, Frank and Susan Shoffner of Wichita, KS. Step-children Cathy and James Justice of Edmond, OK; Jeff and Debbie Webster of Van Alstyne, TX; Randy Webster of Wichita, KS. Bob has 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Bob died Friday evening, March 16, 2012 at the Select Specialties Hospital at Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita, Kansas. He was 85 years old.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at the United Methodist Church in Caldwell, KS.
Interment will be in the Caldwell City Cemetery, Caldwell, Kansas.
Memorials may be given in Bob's name to the Caldwell United Methodist Church or to S.H.A.R.E. for a memorial bench on main street.
Leave Condolences
Condolences
Duke and Joyce Noble
Family and Friends - 03/17/2012
Our hearts are heavy on the passing of our dear friend, Bobby.
His laugh and his stories will be missed.
Peace to you my friend.
Joyce and Duke
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Gweneth Reeder West
Family and Friends - 03/18/2012
Bob was my mother's cousin but he was only four years older than I, so we were of the "same generation." I always appreciated his invitations to family reunions. He tried so hard to maintain family ties. What a joy it was to host one of the gatherings at my home in Caldwell. I called Nadine Ancell Piersall, 90, of Anthony to tell her about Bob's death. I think she is the last of mother's cousins. She sent her condolences.
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Debbie Jansen
Family and Friends - 03/19/2012
I am a co-worker of Bob's stepson, Randy Webster. Randy has always spoken highly of Bob and it was obvious he held him in high regard. I know he will be dearly missed by Randy along with the rest of his Family and friends.
I had the pleasure of meeting Bob at Cheddar's restaurant in Wichita, KS. He was surrounded by family and was having a good time. It was obvious where Randy got his sense of humor.
My prayers are with Bob's family during this time. Know that Bob is in a better place and no longer struggling. He'll be waiting for you.
DebbIe Jansen
Via Christi Health
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Brian Chamberlin
Family and Friends - 03/19/2012
I had the wonderful honor of knowing Bobby since 1972 when the family moved to Spearville. He and Rosalee always made me feel welcome in their home and I loved his sense of humor. My heart felt condolenses go out to Rosalee and all their children who I have had the opportunity to know over the years. To my dear friends Jeff, Frank and Randy, you are very special people and my thoughts and prayers go out to each of you during this difficult time. Bobby is in a real good place with a lot of wonderful friends and family.
God Bless,
Brian Chamberlin
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Jim and Marilyn Burke
Family and Friends - 03/20/2012
We will continue to have many fond memories of the good times we always had when in Bobby Gene's company. Our sympathy goes out to his family.
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Wayne and Glenna Keller
Family and Friends - 03/20/2012
We were so sorry to hear the loss of Bob. Wayne and I still laugh about some of the stories that he would tell. Bob was a wonderful man and you could tell that he enjoyed life. Our thoughts are with you now, and we hope just knowing that we care will comfort you.
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Michael Barnet
Family and Friends - 03/20/2012
My sympathy goes to all of Bobs family, He was quite a story teller & I enjoyed the time i worked with him at Crust Buster in Spearville. He will be greatly missed, R.I.P. Bob
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Chuck,Lisa Tyler and Family
Family and Friends - 04/11/2012
A very special family. Always there to help. I can never say thanks enough and how special Bob and his family is and has been to me. The many nights i was invited to spend the night, so we could run around uptown with the boys to many name. A very special thanks to your Dad and Rosalee the night i got stuck headed back to Dodge City from Hays. They gave me dry clothes and big steak, warm bed to sleep in. Next morning Randy and I ,if my memories are right i think Randy had to climb out a window to move the snow so we could open the door. I also think we went down to dealership because the roof had fallen in. Over 2 foot or more of snow fell in about 24 hours. God Bless your family.
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Chuck,Lisa Tyler and Family
Family and Friends - 04/11/2012
A very special family. Always there to help. I can never say thanks enough and how special Bob and his family is and has been to me. The many nights i was invited to spend the night, so we could run around uptown with the boys to many to name. A very special thanks to your Dad and Rosalee the night i got stuck headed back to Dodge City from Hays. They gave me dry clothes and big steak, warm bed to sleep in. Next morning Randy and I ,if my memories are right i think Randy had to climb out a window to move the snow so we could open the door. I also think we went down to dealership because the roof had fallen in. Over 2 foot or more of snow fell in about 24 hours. God Bless your family.
