Robert B. 'Bob' Holthouse - Osceola

Robert B. "Bob" Holthouse, 82, of Osceola, died Monday, Nov. 28, 2005, at the Great River Medical Center in Blytheville. Born Dec. 8, 1922, in Muncie, Ind., to Bernard G. Holthouse and Nell Williams Holthouse, he was a member of the Osceola St. Matthews Catholic Church.

His family moved to Lawrenceburg, Tenn., in the early 1920s where his father opened a factory that made wood handles and ball bats. Mr. Holthouse graduated from Lawrenceburg High School and entered Purdue University in the fall of 1941. Deciding to take a break from his studies to serve his country during World War II, he enlisted in the Air Force. Returning to college, he graduated from the University of Tennessee and worked for Purina before moving to Mississippi County in 1950. He began farming in the Manila area, moving his operations to Osceola in 1958.

Mr. Holthouse was well-known throughout the county and was active in local politics, was the Farm Bureau president in 1971 and served as justice of the peace on the Quorum Court and on the board of directors of Home Oil Co.

He is survived by his wife, Marie Whitten Holthouse of Osceola; three sons, Ron Holthouse of Osceola, Brian Holthouse of Havre de Grace, Md., and Vince Holthouse of Raleigh, N.C.; a stepson, Jim Lindsey, of Adams, Tenn.; two daughters, Kim Holthouse and Shawn Chafin, both of Osceola; two stepdaughters, Carol Logue of Brentwood, Tenn., and Kathy Hayes of Lawrenceburg; nine grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Myrtle Sexton Holthouse; a son, Edward Heath Holthouse; and three sisters, Margaret, Virginia and Maude.

Rosary was held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Roller-Swift Funeral Home. Mass of Christian burial was held at 11 a.m. Friday at the St. Matthews Catholic Church in Osceola with Father Joseph Pallo presiding. Burial was in Mississippi County Memorial Gardens.

The family requests anyone wishing to leave a lasting memorial consider the St. Matthews Catholic Church or the donor's choice.

To sign the online guest book, log on to www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/swift.