Indianapolis, IN – Robert Franklin Bradbury, age 96, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 3, 2019.
He was born January 4, 1923 in Delaware County, IN, at the Hough family homestead, to Edward Ernest and Mable (Hough) Bradbury. He was a 1941 graduate of Cowan High School where he was active in baseball, basketball, FFA, 4H, and sang in the school’s quartet. He attended NYA Government School for Tool and Die Makers.
At the age of 19, Bob enlisted in the Army Air Force as a machinist on December 1, 1942 and served until October 28, 1945. He served in France with the first fully operational airfield. Bob was able to visit France again in 1995 to visit Omaha Beach near where he landed on June 29, 1944 and where a close school friend lost his life on D-Day. In 2015, Bob and his oldest son, Bruce, traveled to Washington DC with the Indy Honor Flight where, in addition to visiting the WWII memorial, Bob had a chance to chat with Bob Dole and ask him to “do me a favor and stay out of trouble” – something Bob frequently asked of family, friends, and strangers alike. He was a member of the American Legion Post 19, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 651, and AMVETS Post 12.
He worked as a Tool and Die Maker until his retirement in 1988; 27 years for Ball Brothers followed by 20 years for Delco Battery. A birthright Quaker, he was a member of Friends Memorial Meeting, Muncie, IN; serving on many church committees and enjoying the fellowship of the Builders Class for 35 years. Bob also served the community as a Ball Hospital Patient Representative (where he was well-known for his funny ties), Cub Scouts, and the Whitewater Valley Railroad. Bob was a member of many Masonic affiliations (Masons, Scottish Rite, York Rite, Shriners), serving as Worshipful Master for the Delaware Masonic Lodge No. 46 in 1996. Bob counted among his hobbies stamp collecting (first-day covers), radio-control airplanes, wood carving, and model railroads. In the 1960s and 1970s he ran a shop that became known as “Bob’s Garage”; well-known among local model railroads enthusiasts as the place to be on Saturdays. Coffee was always provided, shop talk about model railroads, and special items for sale.
Bob’s proudest accomplishment was his family. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Dorothy (Dillon) whom he loved to say he chose for his future bride when they were both in elementary school. He is also survived by his sister, Evelyn June Miller of Muncie, IN; his two sons: Bruce (Jennifer) of Indianapolis, IN; Bill (Janine) of Union, KY; his three grandchildren, Sara (Bill) Blevins of Indianapolis, IN; Justin (Elizabeth) of Union KY; and Josh of Union, KY; and four great-grandchildren, Kirsten (9), Kaylin (6), Franklin (6), and Valerie (2). He is preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Charles.
Services will be held at 11:30 on Friday, February 8, 2019, at Elm Ridge Funeral Home, 4600 West Kilgore Avenue, Muncie, Indiana 47304. Entombment will follow in Elm Ridge Memorial Park.
Friends and family may call at Elm Ridge from 10:30 until 11:15 with Masonic Services taking place at 11:15.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Shriners Hospital for Children and/or Friends Memorial Church, 418 W Adams St, Muncie, IN 47305.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.elmridgefuneralhome.com.
