Louis "Bob" Stutsman

Louis Robert "Bob" Stutsman, 91, passed away on Friday, October 5, 2012 at the Discovery Care Centre in Hamilton, Montana.
Born February 23, 1921 in Edina Missouri, Bob was the son of Charles William and Elda Mae (Baugher) Stutsman. He was one of eight children. Bob grew up in Edina and on May 15, 1939, he married Mary Madeline McKenzie in Kirksville, Missouri. The couple moved to Canton, Illinois in 1940. They were the parents of three daughters. In 1944, Bob was drafted into the U. S. Army and served in the Infantry on a seven man heavy machine gun crew in the European Theater of World War II. After the war ended, Bob returned to his family in Canton, where he owned Bob's Meat Market for many years. As a hobby, Bob enjoyed restoring a variety of vehicles, especially WW II army jeeps. He was a life-long member of the V.F.W. and the American Legion. Bob and Madeline moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1968, where he was employed by the City of Tolleson, AZ until his retirement in 1983. The couple relocated in Hamilton, Montana in 2006 to be with family.
At the time of Madeline's death on Apri116, 2010, Mr. and Mrs. Stutsman had been married 70 years. Also preceding Bob in death were his parents and six of his siblings: brothers, Charles "Benny", Melvin, Fred Stutsman and sister Minnie Golbricht - all of Missouri; brother Pete Stutsman and sister Lucille Mitchell - both of Illinois.
Surviving are his three daughters: Barbara and husband Gary Weaver, Betty and husband Kenneth Gardner, Ceceil and husband Paul Rapalas - all of Hamilton, MT; his brother Lawrence Stutsman of La Belle, MO; seven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and two step great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 12th at Riverview Cemetery in Hamilton. Military honors will be presented by the U.S. Army, Hamilton American Legion and the Marine Corps League " Bitterroot Detachment.