Robert I. "Bob" Custer

URBANA – Robert "Bob" I Custer was welcomed into the House of the Lord on Feb. 12, 2024.

He is survived by wife of 53 years, Roberta (Midge) Custer, Woodstock; sons Michael "Mick" (Tammie) Custer, Elk Mound, WI; Levi James Custer, Woodstock, daughter Roberta "Bobbi" (Jacob) McKee, Mechanicsburg; 5 grandsons Zach and Cody Custer, Elk Mound WI, Sam, Seth and Corran Church, Apex, NC, and two granddaughters Kaelin Lewis and Aubrielle McKee, Mechanicsburg. Bob leaves his legacy with many other relatives, friends, and organizations. He was preceded in death by his son Gabriel "Gabe" Custer in 2006, and his son Eric James Custer in 2023.

Bob and Midge Custer moved to Champaign County, Ohio, from the dairylands of Wisconsin in 1989 to serve as pastor at Jenkins Chapel, bringing along a well cultivated desire to grow things. After the birth of their son Levi, Bob and Midge responded to an inner desire to deepen their roots in the area and follow God's direction to be more involved in the needs of individuals with disabilities and their families.

In 2006, the Custers opened the doors of Downsize Farm. Like other families that prayerfully appealed for answers to the unique demands of raising kids with developmental disabilities, Downsize Farm was the place for their two sons, Levi and Eric, to look at life through the distinct trademark eyes of Down Syndrome (Down's-eyes). The Sower had planted the seeds of the hopeful and redemptive adventure "Life is Looking up at Downsize Farm" and it was ready to grow.

Bob wrote the Downsize Farm Mission, "to be a path and a partner, of help and of hope, to live purposeful and productive lives." Bob and his wife retired from Downsize Farm in 2020, but Bob continued to find ways to continue that mission within the community. Bob called this period of his life "refirement," and kept the constant momentum to make a difference in the lives of everyone around him. He found passion in his newly-appointed seat as the chair of Champaign Hope 4 Good. It was never really known what adventure he had in store for the day, but his heart was in building hope in the person with a disability, the inmate, the pastor, the business owner, the neighbor. Bob saw every human being as having the dignity of life, which he preached passionately in his words and service.

In the final passage of his Oh, The Adventure Continues! poem,

Oh the Adventure Continues, Life has only begun

Chapters still to be written and songs to be sung

What started with love and freedom pursued

Stands a verdict of joy, glorious and good

So all that life offers, both future and past,

continues to Hope in the adventure that lasts.

Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024 in the Urbana Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Mike McKenzie officiating. A celebration luncheon to follow.

Live Stream will be available on the Vernon Funeral Home Facebook page starting at 1:55 p.m.

Bob was very passionate about many organizations. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to: Champaign County Hope for Good, 1999 E. St. Rt. 29, Urbana, OH 43078, Downsize Farm, 806 N. Parkview Rd., Woodstock, OH 43084, David's Place, 3 W. Sandusky St., Mechanicsburg, OH 43044, or Urbana Church of the Nazarene, 1999 OH-29, Urbana, OH 43078.

Arrangements entrusted to VERNON FUNERAL HOME, Urbana, Ohio.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.vernonfh.com.