Robert Lee Elliott

Robert Lee Elliott, 88, peacefully passed away on February 14, 2020 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, surrounded by his family. Affectionately known as “Funny Grandpa” in his later years, he will forever be remembered for his tough love, fiery wit, and playful spirit that could make anyone laugh. Bob was born in Jasper, Michigan on March 23, 1931 to the late William Howard and Avis Lily (Brink) Elliott. He was a merrymaker at a young age and loved sharing stories of his escapades with friends and family over a cup of coffee. He grew up on the family farm in Chesterfield, Ohio and carried those skills with him as he mastered farm management and became well known in the U.S. Dairy AI business, living in a total of 8 states. (Those who knew and loved him will tell you he was full of a lot of bull!) His retirement adventures included speeding past gators on an airboat in the Florida Everglades, meeting astronauts at Kennedy Space Center, getting a private tour of the White House in Washington, D.C., flying a helicopter over Iguacu Falls in Brazil, and riding a camel and swimming the Dead Sea in Israel. Bob’s final residence was Kingston Care Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he was elected by his fellow residents to hold office as Vice President, and then President, of their social committee – an honor he loved campaigning for.

Bob is survived by his 5 children: Larry (Teresa) Elliott, Kim (Jana) Elliott, Pam Elliott, Mike (Maija-Liisa) Elliott, and Jessica (Todd) Jurkowski; his 12 grandchildren: Nick (Tricia) Elliott, Jamie (Scott) Beck, Spencer (Ashley) Elliott, Rachel (Kaleb) Carter, Jason Knight, Jeremy Knight, Tikva (Haye) DeJong, Shiriel (Aviel) Yahov, Liel Elliott, Tohar Elliott, Yohanna Elliott, and Alexa Jurkowski; and his 16 great-grandchildren: Brittney, Tyler, Ashtyn, Morgan, John, Ella, Ayllsa, Ian, Bryanna, Joshua, Ethan, Esther, Gabriel, Eliron, Eliad, and Benaya; and his sister, Donnie (Elliott) Hantz. He is preceded in death by his son Kevin Elliott, sister Barbara (Elliott) Clark, and his parents.

A Celebration of Life to honor Bob and his well-lived life will take place on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 2:00 PM at Hite Funeral Home in Kendallville with a gathering of family and friends at 1:00 PM prior to the service. Interment will follow later in Powers Cemetery, Angola, Indiana. Gifts in memory of Bob can be made online to Farm Aid (farmaid.org).

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