Robert Thomason

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Robert J. "Bob" Thomason, 90, of Charleston died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, at Charleston Manor.

He was born April 26, 1924, in Bertrand, Missouri, to the late Robert L. and Mary Edith Johnson Thomason.

A graduate of Diehlstadt High School, he served with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and returned to Mississippi County following his discharge. In 1948, he and Kenneth Walker opened Thomason & Walker Shell Service Station in Charleston where he served his community until his retirement in 1990. Upon his retirement, he was presented a commendation of appreciation from the city for his support and many involvements. He was the first president of the Charleston Jaycee's, a member of the Charleston Chamber of Commerce, an avid supporter of Girl Scouts and any other activities involving his daughters and was named Charleston's Man of the Year in 1986. While growing up, he was an active member of the Bridges Methodist Church before joining the Charleston First Christian Church where he served as an elder, chairman of the board, Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent and in many other capacities, including worship speaker in the absence of a minister. He quickly found that full retirement was not for him, so he began making deliveries for Terri K's Heartland Florist and accepted a position as service assistant with McMikle Funeral Home, continuing his legacy of care for his community until 2010.

On Jan. 29, 1950, he married Geraldine Rapert, who survives of the home.

Also surviving are two daughters, Becky (Charles) Tinsley of Charleston and Peggy (Mark) Bentlage of Cape Girardeau; two sisters, Mary Kathryn Rolwing of Charleston and Nadine Lynn of Paducah, Kentucky; four grandchildren, Cade (Laura Jane) Coon and Alana (Paul) Mills, both of Charleston, and Andrew (Rachel) Bentlage and Charley (Cindy) Tinsley, both of Cape Girardeau; seven great-grandchildren, Stewart Coon, William Coon, Archer Bentlage, Mason Mills, Caitlyn Chase Tinsley and Camille Bohnert; also several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one brother, William Thomason; two sisters, Dorothy Pobst and Norma Thomason; and one granddaughter, Rebecca C. Tinsley.

Visitation will be from 5 until 8 p.m. today at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the McMikle chapel, with the Rev. Jim Malugen, pastor of the First Christian Church, officiating and Mike Grimes of Charleston serving as eulogist. Interment will be in the IOOF Cemetery under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Jim Rolwing, Clifford Rolwing, Fred Rolwing, Richard Rolwing, Bruce Rapert, Ronnie Rapert, Denis Rapert, Ricky Rapert and Jimmy Pobst.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Bill Brown, Donnie Sams, Richard Hutcheson, Sam Babb, Mike Grimes and Richard Forbey.

Memorial contributions may be given to the First Christian Church, 109 S. Virginia St., Charleston, MO 63834.