Bobbie J. Calkins, 65, of Beloit, formerly of Janesville, died Sunday, July 27, 2008, at home surrounded by his family. He was born the son of Silas and Linda (Stenulson) Calkins on July 14, 1943, in Franklin Township, Jackson County. He was a graduate of Lincoln High School in Alma Center, WI, and was a member of the U.S. Navy during the Cuban Crisis from 1961-1965. He married Dawn L. Mason on May 23, 1964, in Bel Aire, Maryland. They lived in Janesville from 1966 until they moved South of Afton in 1993. Bobbie was a graduate of Blackhawk Technical College in Auto Body and Mechanics from 1973-1974. He worked for General Motors for 33 years and retired in 1998, and later worked in the body shop at Fagan Chevrolet from 2000 until his illness prevented him from working. He was a member of UAW Local #95, and was a former member of VFW Post #1621. His hobbies included refurbishing old cars and street rods, MASH re-runs, old westerns, Elvis, and 50’s and 60’s era memorabilia.
He is survived by his wife, Dawn; three daughters: Tracy (Mike) Cox of O’Fallon, MO, Kim (Ray) Harris of Edgerton and Michelle (Gary) Stowe of Janesville; eight grandchildren: Danni Cox, Amanda Calkins, Alex Lexa, Kyle Calkins, Kati Calkins, Briana Stowe, Alex Stowe and Andrew Stowe; two great-grandchildren, Madilynn Stowe and JaKobe Wilkins; mother, Linda Calkins of Humbird, WI; four brothers: Wayne Calkins of Sparta, WI, Gene (LuAnn) Calkins of Janesville, Chuckie Calkins of Jacksonville, FL, and John (Emma) Calkins of Humbird, WI; three sisters: Sue Quast of Corpus Christi, TX, Carol (Mike) Engen of Edgerton and Kay Calkins of Humbird, WI; and his beloved dogs, Billy and Buddy. He was preceded in death by his father, Silas; a son, Robert “Bobby” Calkins; two brothers, Tom and Jerry Calkins; and mother- and father-in-law, Melvern and Anna Mason.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2008, at SCHNEIDER APFEL SCHNEIDER & SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME, with Rev. Erik Jelinek officiating. The family is requesting that if you have an old car, bring it to the service. Burial will be in Milton Lawns Memorial Park. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 30, 2008, from 4 until 7 p.m. at the SCHNEIDER APFEL SCHNEIDER & SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME. For online obituary and registry: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com
“The family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Dena Green, Dr. Masood Khan and to Mercy Assisted Care Hospice, especially Lisa, Pat and Karen, for their loving care.”
