Robert James Cover, Sr.

Robert James Cover, Sr. of Grace Village Retirement Community in Winona Lake, Indiana passed away at 6:05 a.m. on Friday, December 22, 2017 at Grace Village Health Care at the age of 85.

He was born on May 19, 1931 in Modesto, California to James David Cover and Elizabeth (Wagner) Cover.  On July 3, 1953 he was married to Joene Ladeen (Toon) Cover, who survives.  

Robert served in the U.S. Army from 1954 – 1957 during the Korean Conflict.  He graduated from Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina and Grace College and Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana.  He was a teacher, principal, pastor, and missionary for the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.  His passion was music and children….he loved his family and had a passion for the Lord and people. 

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 64 years, Joene Ladeen Cover (Winona Lake, Indiana); two daughters:  Viki (John) Rife (Warsaw, Indiana); Lynette (James) Lowe (Okeechobee, Florida); and two sons:  Robert (Lisa) Cover, Jr. (Warsaw, Indiana); David (Sandra) Cover (Richland, Michigan).  Robert also leaves behind his beloved eight grandchildren: Kelly Bowers (San Diego, California); Laura Hoffard (San Antonio, Texas); James Rife (Jefferson, Maine); Robert Cover III (Warsaw, Indiana); Timothy Cover (Warsaw, Indiana); Ladeen Zielasko (Warsaw, Indiana); Stephen Cover (Dayton, Ohio); Kristine Bowen (Gull Lake, Michigan); and fourteen great-grandchildren:  Natalie and Luke Bowers; Ben, Micah and Jacob Hoffard; Carver and Eva Rife; Emma, Abigail, Isabelle, and Moses Cover; Valarie, John Elijah, and Elana Zielasko.  Also surviving is one brother:  Richard (Carol) Cover (Saint Paul, Minnesota); and two sisters: Betty Thompson (Modesto, California); Nancy Ames (Louisville, Kentucky).  He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, one sister, and one great-granddaughter.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 26, 2017 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana.

His funeral service will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home and officiated by Chaplain Bryan Benjamin.  Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw, Indiana. 

Memorial donations in Robert’s name may be directed to Grace Village Health Care, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, Indiana  46590 and would be appreciated by the family.

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