Robert Cruse

Robert "Bob" Cruse, a native of Scott City, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019, at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis, following a long illness.

Robert Cruse

Bob was born Jan. 2, 1942, in Fornfelt to Rex and Frances Cruse, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Betty Varnon Cruse of Morley, Missouri. Their only son, Stephen Robert Cruse, passed away in 1998.

Bob graduated from Illmo-Scott City High School in 1960. He served in the Missouri National Guard before earning his Bachelor of Science in Art Education from Southeast Missouri State University, followed by a Master of Arts in Teaching, also at Southeast Missouri State. Bob and Betty were career teachers in the Hazelwood District of St. Louis County. Bob was proud to be a teacher and loved working with his students and colleagues.

Bob is also survived by his sister, Deborah (Gary) Anderson of Hemphill, Texas; niece, Sarah (Jeremy) Pruden of Scott City and children, Lance and Trent; niece, Lisa (Jody) Enderle of Scott City and children, Ella and Tessa; and nephew, Neil (Angela) Sanders of Smithville, Missouri, and children, Joseph and Megan.

Bob was also a brother to Betty's family: Dee (Joe) Raffety of Clarksville, Tennessee; Sue (Bill) Stacy of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Nita (Toby) Roodman of Morgan Hill, California; Patt (Stephen) Sharp of Kennett, Missouri; brothers, Tony (Janet) Varnon of Cape Girardeau and Rich (Suzanne) Varnon of Memphis, Tennessee; nieces, Mary and Julia Raffety, Nikki and Lily Varnon; nephews, Josh and Sam Varnon, Jim (Tara) Varnon and John Varnon; and great-niece, Lucy Varnon.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.