Memorials

Jesse Howard Roberson, 94, a long-time resident of rural Churubusco in Eel River Township, woke up in the presence of Jesus and the waiting arms of Martha at 9:30 p. m. on Tuesday, September 30, 2008.  He had been in declining health for several years.

Mr. Roberson was born in Eel River Township on January 11, 1914, a son of David A. and Hanna Emily (Coffeld) Roberson, Jr., and graduated from Churubusco High School.

A member of the “Generation of Valor,” he fought in three major campaigns in Europe during World War II.  During the war he was an infantryman and half-track driver.  He drove the half-track from Normandy to Berlin earning three campaign medals with three bronze stars.  Throughout the remainder of his life he told many humorous stories and anecdotes about the war.

In September of 1943, he was married to Martha Ellen Teague, and their only child, Les, was born in 1947.  Following his military discharge he returned to farming in Eel River Township near Churubusco.  He was a leading dairy herdsman and implemented many progressive farming techniques he learned from the Purdue GI extension school.

He retired from farming in 1979 and moved three miles east of his farm.  He was a member of the South Wayne Baptist Church in Fort Wayne, but for eighty years was a member of the First Eel River Baptist Church on Carroll Road.  During his life he was active in Farm Bureau.  He was also a member and Past Grand of Harmony Lodge 19 Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was a member and Past Noble Grand of Concordia Rebekah Lodge 41 in Fort Wayne.

Jess was a simple man of simple needs, and after the war he seldom traveled far.  He explained to his son Les, “My farm is the best place in the world, and from what I’ve seen of the rest of the world, it can’t be beat.”  He also said, “You don’t understand–farming is not work, it is fun to me.” 

Mrs. Roberson preceded him in death on February 1, 2003.

The surviving relatives include his son Les (Sharon) Roberson of Churubusco; his grandsons Roy David (Robin) Roberson of Fort Wayne and Ben (Stacie) Roberson of Evergreen, Colorado; four great-grandchildren Brooke Roberson, Caleigh Roberson, Rozilynn Roberson, and Austin Roberson; and several nieces and nephews, including James “Oscar” (Liz) Blanton of Flagstaff, Arizona, who he raised as a son.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his brothers Paul Roberson, Earl Roberson, and John Roberson; and by a sister Francis Spice Wise.

At the time of his death, Jesse was living at Bethlehem Woods Nursing Home, under the care of Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home of Fort Wayne.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p. m. Sunday, October 5, 2008, at the Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev. James Lund and the Rev. Dr. Wungreiso Valui, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the mortuary on Saturday from 2 to 8 p. m., or one hour prior to the service.  Harmony Lodge 19 IOOF will conduct memorial services at 7:45 p.m. Saturday at the mortuary.

Interment will be in the family plot at Eel River Cemetery, one-half mile west of his beloved farm.

Prefered memorials are to the family.