Robert Beideman Sr.

Robert I. Beideman Sr., 78, of Rome RR 3, Rome Township, Pa., went home to be with the Lord Saturday, July 5, 2008, from the Guthrie Sayre House in Sayre, Pa.

Robert was born in Fort Washington, Pa., on Dec. 16, 1929, the son of the late Bertram Beideman and Mamie Eisenhard Beideman. He attended a one-room schoolhouse in Jarrettown, Pa., and graduated from Abington High School in Abington, Pa., in 1947.

After graduation, Robert served in the National Guard for 10 years while working for Gerhards in Glenside, Pa.

On May 31, 1952, he married the former Doris Yocum of Lebanon, Pa. Robert later moved to Bradford County, where he was employed by GTE Sylvania in Towanda as a metallurgical technician for 28 years until his retirement in 1985.

Robert moved to Bumpville, Pa., in 1958, then to Rome, Pa., and later built his own home in Bumpville, where he retired.

He was a general handyman who loved gardening, both flowers and vegetables, and working outdoors, planting many trees and shrubs.

In the past, Robert played softball and coached a teen team in southeast Pennsylvania.

He attended the Rome Methodist Church until 1972, when he became a member of the North Rome Wesleyan Church. He participated in several ministries at the North Rome Wesleyan Church through the years, including serving on the church board and, until his recent illness, as head usher.

He formerly played first base on the men's softball team at his church. Following his retirement, Robert enjoyed playing cards and bowling with his friends. He also enjoyed making stained-glass windows.

Surviving are: his devoted wife of 56 years, Doris Y. Beideman, at home; three children, Debra Arnold of Rome, Karen Gardner and her husband, Pastor Christopher Gardner, of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Leslie Beideman of Raleigh, N.C.; five grandchildren, Nicole Arnold of Sayre, Pa., Heather Arnold Johnson and her husband, Andrew Johnson, of Phoenixville, Pa., Danielle Gardner of Brooklyn, Abigail Gardner of Brooklyn and Matthew Beideman of RR 3 Rome, Pa.; and his sister-in-law, Lois Beideman of Pottstown, Pa.

He was preceded in death by his son, Robert I. Beideman Jr., on Oct. 31, 2007; grandson Christopher Gardner Jr.; brother and sister-in-law, Bertram Beideman Jr. and Harriet Beideman; brother, Alan Beideman; and sister and brother-in-law, Margie Prescott and Russell Prescott.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Maryott-Bowen Funeral Home, 217 York Ave., Towanda, Pa.

The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, at the North Rome Wesleyan Church with Pastors Theo Griffin, Richard Wolfe and Christopher Gardner, Robert's son-in-law, officiating. Interment will follow in the Darling Cemetery, Orwell Township, Pa.

The family suggests that memorial contributions may be directed to the North Rome Wesleyan Church, RR 1 Ulster, Pa. 18850, in Robert I. Beideman Sr.'s memory.