Robert Virgil Rea

May 12, 1917 – April 14, 2012

SOUTH BEND — Robert Virgil Rea, 94, of Southfield Village, South Bend, IN, passed away at 8:23 a.m.Saturday, April 14, 2012, at Memorial Hospital. He was born on May 12, 1917, in South Bend, IN, to the late William Chester and Grace (Stuck) Rea, and had lived in this area most of his life.

On May 6, 1939, in South Bend, he married Nancy Ellen Moore; and then, on June 19, 1976, in South Bend, IN, he married Helen Marie (Koester) Perkins, who both preceded him in death.

Mr. Rea is survived by three sons, Scott C. Rea, Craig C. (Heidi) Rea of Grand Haven, MI, Andrew W. (Marianne) Rea of Norway; stepdaughter, Marsha (John) Perkins Marshall of South Bend, IN; three stepsons, James (Priscilla) Perkins of Charlotte, NC, Kenneth Perkins of Rock Hill, SC, and Daniel (Jackie) Perkins of Cape Coral, FL. There are 6 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and 8 step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Eleanor Rea, and brother, W. Ivo Rea.

Mr. Rea served his country honorably in the United States Army during World War II, serving under General Patton and fighting in the Battle of the Bulge; he was awarded the Bronze Star in 2004. He retired in 1981 as the district manager for Maytag (Magic Chef) after 27 years of service. Mr. Rea was a lifetime member of Elks Club #235, was a member of DAV Chapter 19, American Legion, Bowlers Country Club, and was a member and for many years the treasurer of the South Bend Audubon Society.

Sources: Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com and FindAGrave.com

06/05/2025 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/88589988/robert_virgil-rea