Robert Edwin “Bob” Gephart, 84, of Warsaw, Ind., passed away at 11:15 a.m. Friday, March 14, 2014, at Kosciusko Community Hospital after a nine year battle with lung cancer.

Bob was born May 23, 1929, in Hammond, Ind., to Charles Morgan and Opal Naomi (Williams) Gephart. He graduated with the class of 1947 from New Haven High School and in June of 1952 he graduated from Indiana University, Bloomington. He also graduated from Wisconsin School of Banking in Madison, Wisconsin in 1965 and the National Graduate Trust School held in Northwestern University in 1971.

Beginning Sept. 23, 1952, Bob proudly served his country during the Korean War with the United States Army. Sgt. Robert E. Gephart was honorably discharged Sept. 22, 1954.

Ann J. Traster and Bob were joined in marriage March 5, 1960, in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Bob started his banking career at the Farmers and Merchants Bank in Bluffton, Ind. He also worked with the Comptroller of Currency as a National Bank Examiner, then eight years at the Citizens State Bank in Hartford City and 25 years at the Lake City Bank in Warsaw. He retired in May of 1994 as senior vice president and trust officer.

Living most of his life in Warsaw, he was a member of its Kiwanis Club where he had served as club president and lt. governor for the Land of Lakes Division of Indiana Kiwanis and was the recipient of the Legion of Honor and George F. Hixon Awards. Bob was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, Warsaw.

Over the years he was active in many Kosciusko County organizations including The American Cancer Society, United Way, life member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, Riverwood Ranch, Indiana Lakeland Girl Scout Council, Warsaw Community Public Library Board, Kosciusko County Community Foundation, a volunteer at the Kosciusko County Literary Services, board member at Mason Health Care Facility, member of American Legion Post #49 and was named Kosciusko County’s 1980 Man of the Year.

He is survived by his wife: Ann; a daughter and son-in-law: Cheryl and Kevin Giacomini, Northville, Mich.; a son: Mark Gephart, Greenwood, Ind.; and four grandchildren: Katie and Anna Giacomini and Lillie and Charles Gephart.

He was preceded by his parents and two sisters: Marilyn Clark and Eileen Naomi McCormack.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, March 17, at Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw. A service celebrating the life of Robert Edwin Gephart will take place at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 18, in First United Methodist Church, Warsaw, with Pastors Scott Carmer and Toni Carmer officiating. Burial will follow in Oakhill Cemetery, Warsaw. Military honors will be conducted by Warsaw’s American Legion Post #49 and VFW Post #1126

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 179 S. Indiana St., Warsaw, IN 46580; Kosciusko Community Foundation 102 E. Market St., Warsaw and Salvation Army, 501 Arthur St., Warsaw.