Bobby Gene Story (89) of Newton

Graveside services will be held at 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 16, in the West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Newton with Rev. Amy Jeffries officiating. Interment will follow with military rites being offered by Jasper Post No. 20 of the American Legion. Crain Funeral Home, Newton is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his memory to the Jasper Post 20 of the American Legion. Online condolences may be left by clicking here. 

Bobby was born July 25, 1933, in Effingham, the son of Robert Sheldon and Zola (Klier) Story. Bobby graduated as valedictorian from Newton Community High School in 1951. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1955 with a BS degree in Agriculture. While at U of I, Bobby was in the Acacia Fraternity. Bobby was in the US Army Reserves, Commissioned 2nd Lt., discharged in 1955 as a Captain. He was the last Company Commander of the Newton Company A, 3rd Battalion, 4th Infantry of the 102nd Reserve Infantry Division.

Bobby married Carolyn Burnside August 22, 1954. They were married at Kedron United Methodist Church by Bobby’s grandfather, Rev. James T. Story. The couple lived in Champaign, Illinois, until Bobby graduated from college. They lived at Fort Lee, Virginia, while Bobby was in the Reserves. The couple returned to Jasper County in 1957 and started farming. Bobby, with the help of Carolyn, ran a grain and livestock farm until they retired in 2005.

Bobby was a member of the Kedron United Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday school classes for many years. He was a member of the Lord’s Echoes Quartet for 20 years, a member of the American Legion, and the Farm Bureau. Bobby enjoyed gardening, wood working, singing and writing Gospel music. Bobby wrote 150 songs, making nine CDs. Bobby also enjoyed oil painting, having completed 198 paintings.  He was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Fighting Illini.

Bobby will be loved and remembered by his wife of 68 years, Carolyn Story, son Lee (Karla) Story of Newton, grandson Jason Story of Peoria, granddaughter Miranda (Trent) Mason of Effingham, and great-granddaughter Aria Mason. Also surviving are cousins Sandra Hartrich, Judith (Dennis) Hartrich, and Sandra Story (Rodney) Reeves, as well as many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; aunts and uncles, Lowell (Marjorie) Story, Rosa (Millard) Bixler, and Blanche Kennedy; and cousins Elnora Johnson, Wanda Henry, and Lora Jean Kocher.