Obit: Elkins, Robert E. (1917 – 1975)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Elkins, Fox, Fazendin, O'Leary, Harvey, Berglund, Schoengarth, Possely, Shonbarker

---------Source: Owen Enterprise (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 10 Sep 1975

Elkins, Robert E. (7 AUG 1917 – 5 SEP 1975)

(Note – Birth date from East Thorp Cemetery listing)

Funeral services for Robert E. Elkins, 58, co-publisher of the Thorp Courier, Thorp (Clark Co., Wis.), were held at 10:30 Tuesday forenoon at the Thorp Funeral Home. The Rev. Carl Fox officiated, with burial being made at East Thorp Cemetery.

Casket bearers were fellow publishers B. Joseph Fazendin, Stanley, A.J. O'Leary, Abbotsford, Robert Harvey, Neillsville, and Robert Berglund, Loyal, Judge Lowell D. Schoengarth, Neillsville and Jim Possely, Thorp.

Bob died unexpectedly and suddenly at his cottage near Phillips early Saturday evening. Judge and Mrs. Lowell Schoengarth had just arrived for a visit and Bob invited everyone to the lakeshore to see his new boat. He and Lowell got in it to take a ride, and as he pulled the starter rope, collapsed. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at a doctor's office in Phillips.

He was born in Detroit, Michigan, where he began his newspaper career. During World War II he served the US Navy and joined the staff of the Thorp Courier in 1945.

On September 10, 1945 he and the former Shirley Shonbarker were united in marriage in a ceremony performed in California.

Surviving him are his wife, Shirley, a daughter, Sandra of New York State, two sons, Mike and Bob, both of Eau Claire, and one brother, William of Detroit.