Robert J. "Bob" March

Robert J. March, "Bob", 86, of Mexico, died at 3:15 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015, at Golden Living Center, Pin Oaks.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Terry Kukuk officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at Pickering Funeral Home. Burial will follow at East Lawn Memorial Park.

Bob was born Jan. 25, 1928, in Columbia, Mo., a son of Robert and Affia Marie (Pugh) March. On Nov. 25, 1959, in Montgomery City, he married Barbara Jean DeCoster. Barb preceded him in death on Feb. 8, 2009.

Mr. March was a World War II veteran having served with the US Navy on the Battleship U.S.S. Mississippi.

He had worked in sales all his life, beginning at a young age with Mexico Refractories and Kaiser Refractories. He also spent several years at Erdel's Hardware.

Bob March was not rich and famous as rich and famous people go. But he was definitely rich and famous to those who loved him and knew him. He was rich in the gift of the spirit. His faith was strong as he endured the many hardships his health provided. Bob won the hearts of all and brought joy with his humor, wit and joke telling skills. He loved life with a passiona passion for his family of kids, grandkids and great-grandkids, as well as his many friends. Bob loved deeply and wasn't afraid to express his love in words, both written and orally. His goodness was a magnet not only to people, but also to animals of all kinds, dogs in particular. They were naturally drawn to his kind and gentle manner. The birds flocked to his backyard feeders. He fed them well, and knew them all as friends, too! Poppa (as he was known and called by many) loved the St. Louis Cardinals. He had been a fan since the 1930's. He played baseball from the time he was a young boy, began pitching when he was 12 years old, and didn't stop until he was 30 and hurt his elbow. In his words, he was "pretty damned good, too!" When Bob worked at Kaiser Refractories, he was a timekeeper at one time and knew the clock numbers of all the employees. And until the day he passed, he would see former employees from over 60 years ago and tell you their old clock numbers! He had a memory like a steel trap. He always said the key to life was having consideration of others. He modeled that well! We will all miss him, but know that heaven is a little bit better today!

Survivors include three daughters, Cheri Erdel and husband Dan, of Mexico, Lisa Rice, of Mexico, and Jill (March) Caldwell and husband Rod, of the state of California; one sister, Jean Sterner, of Mexico; seven grandchildren, Peter Erdel, of Austin, Tx., Callie Wilburn and husband Kevin, of Mexico, Ben Erdel and wife Lauren, of St. Louis, Carly Rice and Shawn Connolly, of Columbia, Whitney Sells and husband Mike, of Mexico, and Lauren and Libby Ledergerber, of the state of California; five great-grandchildren, Owen and Jack Wilburn, Leah and Emma Sells, and Luke Connolly; and one niece Kay Sterner, of Kansas City.

In addition to his wife Barbara, he was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Norris Sterner.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Mexico Optimist Club or Mexico Area YMCA. They may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.