Bobby "Bob" Gene Santhuff

Bobby Gene Santhuff of Steelville, MO was born December 14, 1930, in Redford, MO, to Jesse L Santhuff and Mary M. Goodson Santhuff.  He passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 1, 2019, at Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla, MO at the age of 88 years, 7 months and 18 days.

Bob married Lelah Fowler on October 14, 1950 and to this union one daughter and two sons were born.

Bob served his country in the Korean War Conflict from 1951-1953 as a member of the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, also known as the “Rakkasans.”  He loved his country and was very proud to be a US Army Veteran.

Bob was a born-again Christian and a Deacon of Victory Baptist Church. He served his Lord faithfully his entire life.  He had a very long and successful career in the shoe heel industry as both a plant manager and later as a factory owner.

He was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. He also enjoyed stock car racing, working on his farm, restoring tractors and automobiles, bluegrass music, and watching his granddaughters participate in all of their sports activities.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother in-law John and Ruby Fowler, his wife Lelah, brother Bill Santhuff, sisters Shirley (Lyman) Monroe, Lori Lee Anderson, and Barbara Santhuff Kosa, brothers-in-law; Ron Bouse, Arthur Hartrup, Ernest Sullivan, Lee Roy (Anna Ruth) Fowler, and nephews, Randy Sullivan and Kirk Monroe.

He is survived by one daughter Connie (Frank) Counts and two sons, Donald (Gina) Santhuff and John (Karen) Santhuff, all of Steelville, MO; granddaughters Olivia Santhuff (Adam Craghead), Amelia Santhuff, Alaina Santhuff, Kim Wallen, Kourtney (Cody) Griffith, and Makenzie (Preston) Griggs. Great grandchildren Addalyn Griggs, Jaxon Griffith, Kyle (Heather) Wallen and Cody (Aleksandra) Wallen; great-great granddaughter Brooklyn Wallen; brother Ronnie Santhuff, sisters Dolores (Don) Goad and Joyce Bouse Miller and husband Robert; Sisters-in-law, Pat Santhuff, Ruth Hartrup, Berniece Sullivan, Jean Fowler; other relatives; and many friends.

The Family received friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, August 5, 2019, at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO with Rev. Roger Silvey officiating. The obituary and memories were shared by his nephew, Brock Bouse. Special recorded music of "How Great Thou Art", "Mansion Over the Hilltop" and "Precious Lord take my hand" was sung by his sons, Don and John Santhuff

Committal prayer and burial with full military honors by the U.S. Army and St. James VFW Post 5608 were in the Steelville Cemetery.

Honored to be serving as casket bearers were Bob’s granddaughters, Olivia, Amelia, Alaina, Kourtney, Makenzie and Kim.  Honorary casket bearers will were Ken Halbert and Scott Halbert.

Memorials may be given to the Victory Baptist Church and Steelville Cemetery Association.

The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.

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