Bob Trueblood

Bobby G. Trueblood was born on January 7, 1933, to the late Glenn and Margaret (Finch) Trueblood in Ottumwa, Iowa. He passed from this life on December 22, 2025, in the Clark County Nursing Home, Kahoka, Missouri, at the age of 92 years and 11 ½ months. Bob was a life-long resident of Scotland County, Missouri, spending most of his life near Arbela.

Bob married Lela M. Mathes on June 26, 1955, in Memphis, Missouri. Four children were born to this union: Janet (Joseph) Baldwin Heptig, Carl Trueblood, David (Lori Orf) Trueblood, and Randy (Kelly Meier) Trueblood. Bob was very proud of his grandchildren: Jillian Baldwin (Hyeunmo) Kim, Diane Baldwin, Angela (Curtis) Cochran, Chad (Carolyn Thomas) Trueblood, Logan Trueblood, Cara (Matthew) Williams, Travis (Megan Hatfield) Trueblood, Austin Cochran, and Kyndra Cochran. In his last years, he really enjoyed his time with his 10 great-grandchildren.

After graduating from Granger High School in 1950, Bob proudly served this country in the Korean War in the U.S. Army 24th Division Artillery, Headquarters Battery, 8th Army from 1953 – 1955 primarily as a surveyor and convoy leader all over South Korea. He achieved the rank of Staff Sargent and was awarded the U. N. Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal among other recognitions. Bob was a member of Post 4958 Wallace W. Gillespie Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post.

Bob was great at repairing things and creating gadgets to fulfill purposes that needed done. He worked at the Pepsi-Cola plant in Memphis, worked at John Deere plant in Ottumwa, Iowa, owned and operated Trueblood Blacksmith shop in Arbela, served as the Transportation Director of the Scotland County R-1 Schools, worked for Morgan Fertilizer in Memphis, Missouri, and worked at the Scotland County Road and Bridge crew. But his favorite job was farming and raising cattle especially on the family farm north of Arbela.

Bob was a faithful volunteer for the Scotland County Antique Fair Association for many years. He had a love of flying becoming a pilot and supporting the aviation community in the area. He even built his own small airplane. Bob was a member of the Freemasons for many years.

Memorials are suggested to the Veteran's Honor Flight Program in care of Payne Funeral Chapel, 202 E. Madison St., Memphis, MO 63555.