Robert George Rader Jr.

Robert G. Rader, Jr., widower of Eunice Ilene Rader, passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the Lexington VA Community Living Center. Born on December 8, 1936, in Springfield, Ohio, he was the son of the late Robert G. and Mary Rader. Mr. Rader attended Wittenberg University, served his country with distinction as a United States Marine, and retired from a successful career as a construction engineer.
He was a dedicated member of Pinckard Baptist and Versailles Baptist Churches, affectionately known as "The Candy Man" for his thoughtful gesture of bringing candy to share. His passion for woodworking was evident through the many pieces he shared with family and friends. Above all, Mr. Rader cherished time spent with his family, church community, and neighbors on Delaney Ferry and Foxhound Court in Versailles.
Mr. Rader is survived by his daughter, Cyndi Shields (Daryl); grandchildren Melinda and Dan Stone, Brandon, Leann, Austin, and Micheala Shields; and great-grandchildren Ben (Pallavi) and Hailey Stone, Julie, Calvin, Weston, and Delaney Shields. In addition to his wife and parents he was preceded in death by his children, Sandy Graham, and Doug Knott.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026, beginning at 11:00 a.m., followed by the Funeral Service at 1:00 p.m. at Blackburn and Ward Funeral Home, Versailles, Kentucky. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Blue Grass Memorial Gardens where pallbearers will be Brandon Shields, Austin Shields, Ben Stone, Dan Stone, Daryl Shields, and Harold Shields. Memorial Contributions are suggested to Honor Flight Kentucky, P.O. Box 25025, Lexington, KY 40524. Friends and family are encouraged to leave messages of condolence and share memories on Mr. Rader's tribute wall at www.BlackburnandWard.com