Beech Tree News Network

Robert Bruce Youngblood, called Bob by his family and friends, was born August 12, 1927 in Chandler to the late George Roscoe and Hazel (Skelton) Youngblood. He lived in and around the Chandler area for the early part of his life.

At age 15, he hired on with Sohio barge line as a deckhand. Throughout the next 50 years, he would work for various companies including Hines Inc., OBL and Ingram. He worked his way up and retired on his 65th birthday as a Captain.

He met and married Helena Muriel Cox Ware in 1948 and together they raised five children.

After retirement, Robert enjoyed going to auctions and finding treasures that he could fix and sell at flea markets. He loved buying box lots because he never knew what he would find in the box. Robert was very handy and could fix or build anything.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife Muriel in 2020; sons, George Eugene in 2018 and David Norris in 2022; granddaughter-in-law, Michelle Rowland in 2017; brothers, Guy Youngblood and George Roscoe Youngblood, Jr.; and sister, Ruth Rudisill.

Robert is survived by his daughters, Sheila (Frank) Dichiara of Hebron, KY, Bobbie Jo Steele of Evansville and Lisa Youngblood of Evansville; daughter-in-law, Kala Youngblood of Auburn, KY; grandchildren, Robert Rowland, Ernie Dichiara, Karla Coles, Kristine Kie and Darcy Rowland. Also, Sarah Ann Gross, a grandchild not by blood, but by heart; great-grandchildren, Kristopher Coles, Mikala Barks, Quinn Rowland, Trenton Kie, Jesse Lashley, Daycia Rowland, Xavier Dichiara, Kanyan Rowland and Roman Dichiara; great-great-grandchildren, Carter and Kendell Coles, Josie and Jack Barks and Klaycie and Storm Brown; sister, Karen Sue Hess; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 10, 2024 at Ziemer Funeral Home Central Chapel, 626 N. First Ave., Evansville. A Funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. with Reverend Tim Garrett officiating.

Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to It Takes a Village No-Kill Rescue, 1417 N. Stockwell Road, Evansville, IN 47715 or the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692