Robert E. "Bob" Mccall

Robert E. “Bob” McCall, of Woodston, Kansas, passed away on January 4, 2023, at the Parkview Care Center in Osborne, Kansas, at the age of 100. He was born on November 29, 1922, to Henry and Emma (Vanderlip) McCall in Ash Rock Township North of Woodston. He was married on February 14, 1943, to Evelyn (Melton) McCall. She passed away in 1998. On September 3, 2000, Bob married Edna (Dibble) Taylor in Stockton, Kansas.

Bob grew up in rural Woodston and graduated from Woodston High School in 1940. Living a whole century, his only two times living away from Woodston were when he left for trade school and when he served in the army. Trade school for welding took him to Topeka where he took advantage of the N.Y.A youth program for free schooling with the understanding that if any hostility involving the United States were to occur, he would be inducted into the United States Army Air Force. Bob served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946 during WWII and was stationed in Burtonwood, England as a welder. When he returned home to Woodston, he opened McCall Blacksmith Shop, working as a blacksmith for 50 years serving farmers' repair needs over a large territory. More than one farmer has said of his skills, “If Bob can’t fix it, it probably can’t be fixed.” He was a school bus driver for many years for the students of Woodston and the surrounding area. Bob was a member of the VFW Post 8873, American Legion Post 0087, the National Rifle Association, and was very involved in the Ash Rock Church preservation. He also served on the Rural Telephone Cooperative Board for thirty years.

Bob loved his family, and if he was not spending time with them, he enjoyed hunting, trap shooting (which he excelled at into his 90’s), cheering on K-State athletics, and having coffee at the White Elephant with friends, neighbors, his three-legged dog Sandy, and his special friend Raymond Garcia. Bob will be greatly missed by all who knew him, but the celebration of his life and memories will remain with us forever.

Bob is survived by his wife, Edna of Osborne; step-daughter, Stephanie (Travis) Sullivan of Emporia, KS; grandchild, Taylor Sullivan; sisters-in-law, Joan McCall and Erma Jean Price; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Evelyn; siblings, Mildred (Bryan) Anderson, Natalie (John) Stanhope, Donald McCall, Betty (Duane) Keirns, Walter (Carol) McCall and nephew Jeff McCall.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, January 9, 2023, at 1:30 PM, at the Ash Rock Cemetery in Woodston. *There will be no seating - Please bring a chair if you cannot stand for the length of the service. Visitation will be on Sunday, January 8, from 4PM until 8PM at the funeral home in Stockton.

Memorials are suggested to Ash Rock Cemetery or Woodston Rural Fire Department and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N 1st, Stockton, KS 67669.