Robert Slentz

BUTLER - Robert Dean Slentz, age 95, went to his heavenly home on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025.

Born on Aug. 20, 1929, to Russell and Violet (Leason) Slentz, he was the fifth of eight children.

For his early educational years, he attended two rural school houses in Troy Township, and then graduated from the old Butler High School in 1948, where he participated in band.

He was married to the love of his life, Anna Louise (Bauman) for 73 years, who took his breath away even at the very end.

He worked hard his entire life, starting at very young age, where he learned how to care and work the land, while gently tending to a variety of animals over the course of his life. He was a lifelong farmer, and was even getting into a combine at age 93, to help with harvest.

His first job was at Hendrickson's in Butler, which was short-lived, as he started hauling milk with his brother Ray, and eventually became co-owner of Slentz Brother's trucking. Their business started by hauling canned milk and progressed with the times to hauling bulk milk from local farmers to a variety of different dairies.

He was actively involved as a member of the former Butler United Methodist Church.

He was also a member of the Farm Bureau and the Butler Lions Club. He was an excellent dancer and member of "Skirts & Shirts" square dance club in Auburn, that performed at a variety of locations and events.

After retiring, he spent the winter months at Sunshine RV Resort Park in Harlingen, Texas, for 20-plus years.

He was a very talented Euchre player, who could make a trick out of any hand, and eventually taught all of his children, grandchildren and many great-grandchildren how to play. Through the years you could count on seeing him in the show barn stands fair week, watching his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren showing a variety of livestock.

He and his beautiful bride held the title of longest married couple in DeKalb County for six years. He was a loving, gentle, kind, and humorous father, grandfather great-grandfather and friend who never knew a stranger.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two infant siblings; brothers, Ray (Paula) Slentz, Herbert (Joyce & Margaret) Slentz and Elmer (Donna) Slentz; brother and sisters-in-law, Donald Girardot, Arlon Bauman, Howard Baulkey and Edie Slentz; son and daughter-in-law, Michael (Becky) Slentz; and grandchild, Kendra Meal.

He leaves behind his beautiful bride; siblings, Lois Girardot and Walter Slentz; brother and sisters-in-law, Margorie Baulkey, Janice Bauman, Norene (Norman) Kinsey and William (Judy) Bauman; daughters, Diane (Kim) Meal and Denise (Mitch) Shepherd; six grandchildren, Crystal (Jon) Huddlestone, John (Stephanie) Slentz, Rachel (Matt) Jun, Ashley (Brandon) Brown, Lance (Tori) Shepherd and Matthew (Fei-Ma) Slentz; and 12 great-grandchildren who adored him, Rowan, Noah, Mya, Pearl, Lola, Maddox, Hadley, Steele, Robbie, Grace, Rebecc, and Olivia.

Services will be held at 11 a.m., on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, at Butler Christian Community Church, (formerly Butler United Methodist Church), 501 Green St., Butler, IN 46721.

Pastor Rick Stiver will be officiating.

Burial will follow the service at Butler Cemetery.

Visitation is on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, from 3-7 p.m., at Feller and Clark Funeral Home, 1860 Center St., Auburn, Indiana, with additional visitation on Friday, from 10-11 a.m., at the church.

Memorials may be given in memory of Bob to Wilmington, Troy and Stafford Township 4-H Auction Committee or Butler Christian Community Church Women's group.

To send condolences to the family, visit www.fellerandclark.com.