Robert McKelvey
October 11, 1946 ~ August 22, 2008
Robert McKelvey, 61, of Highmore, died Friday, August 22, 2008 at his home.
Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at the United Methodist Church, Highmore with Rev. Martin Earl officiating. Burial was in the Highmore Cemetery. Visitation was held from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday, August 25 with a 7:00 p.m. Masonic Service at Luze Funeral Home in Highmore.
Robert M. McKelvey was born October 11, 1946 to Hugh and Frances (Harter) McKelvey in Huron. He was raised in southwest Hyde County where he attended his first four years of country school before the school closed. The family then moved into Highmore where he attended school and was active in band, sports, and debate. His biggest highlight was being a member of the first undefeated football team. After graduation, Robert attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls and Black Hills State University in Spearfish. He was involved in baseball and was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.
In 1966, while attending college, he met and married Rochell Ann Roberts and to this union, one son was born. While attending college, he worked at the Homestake Gold Mine. In the summer of 1969, he graduated and started teaching school. He taught in rural Hyde School and then moved around to Wessington Springs, Wessington, Hecla and Interior, South Dakota. He not only was a teacher but an elementary school principal and football coach through the years.
In 1977, he started the McKelvey Insurance Agency in Highmore. Through his agency, he became an agent with DeSmet Farm Mutual. In July 2008, he said farewell to the company and retired.
In December of 1988, after twenty-two years of marriage, his wife Rochell passed away. In 1997, he met Phyllis M. Vanhorn and in the following year, they were married. On June 19, 2008, they celebrated their tenth anniversary.
Grateful to have shared in his life are his wife, Phyllis of Highmore; step-son, Nick (Rebecca) Vanhorn of Wayne, Neb.; son, George (Shelby) McKelvey of Sioux Falls; grandchildren: Austin, Leanne, Katelyn and Mandy Vanhorn and Dylan McKelvey; brother, Wayne (Zane) McKelvey of Fargo, N.D.; mother-in-law, Evelyn Hoeman of Wayne, Neb.; special family friend, Celeste Burke of Wayne, Neb.; one uncle; and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Rochell; and his grandparents.
Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Robert's arrangements.
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Im so sorry for you loss. I know there are no words to take your pain away but know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers.
T.J. and Jennifer Bellott &
Nina VanHorn
Dear Phyllis – My deepest sympathy to you and Bob’s family at this time of his passing.
I know how he has struggled with health issues the past few years and also how you have stood by his side helping him through it all. You worked so hard to try to help him with the insurance business and did very well trying to keep things going.
I’ll keep you and your family in my prayers. Be comforted to know that his struggles are over.
With sympathy. Joyce Jansen
former receptionist at De Smet
Farm Mutual Insurance Company.
Phyllis, Nick & Becca, Our sympathy to each of you. We will keep you in our prayers and even though we can not be with you in body, we will be with you in spirit and pray for each of you. With all our love, Diane & Garry
Please accept our sympathy at this very sad time in your lives. Bob was a classmate of Jim’s. It was always a fun surprise to see Bob somewhere and get the chance to visit and catch up with your lives. He will be missed by all of us. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Jim and Eleanor Iverson
Popa Doo ….. We are missing very vrey much.. But we know your watching over all of us !!!
Miss you and love you
Austin , Leanne, Katelyn and Mandy Jo
Thinking of you at this most diffiult time and sharing in the loss of your loved one…
Bob were SUCH A LOVELY MAN/PERSON AND THE BEST FRIEND ANYONE COULD EVERY WISH FOR….
I LOVED HIM DEARLY…
HE WERE THE BEST BUDDY/FRIEND AND LIKED A BROTHER TO ME ….
SO WHILE WITH A HEAVY/SAD HEART TODAY ..
BUT LETS JUST REJOICE IN HIS LIFE NOW…HE LEAD A FULL LIFE
LOVED HIS FAMILY,FRIENDS…
I’M SENDING MY MOST EXTENDING HEARTFELT UNDERSTANDING AND SYMAPTHY…
LETS EACH FIND PEACE IN OUR HEART’S KNOWING BOB IS NOW RESTING SAFELY & IN PEACE IN THE ARM OF THE LORD…
WHILE WE NEEDED & WANTED TO HAVE HIM HERE ON EARTH WITH US…
I KNOW GOD NEEDED HIM EVEN MORE FOR SOME SPECIAL MISSION
SO NOW AS WE SEE A FLOWERS/ROSE…OR SEE FALLING SNOWFALKES/RAINDROPS OR A BUTTERFLY JUST FLUTTERING ABOUT ..
LET IT STOP US ALL FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THINK OF BOB…HIS LIFE AND HOW MUCH HE BROUGHT INTO OURS BY JUST KNOWING HIM AS A FAMILY MEMBER OR AS A FRIEND
BARBARA CLARK
16 GUYON DRIVE
CHEROKEE VILLAGE AR 72729-7226
George, Phyllis, and family –
My thoughts are w/you as you go through this hard time in your life. Remember you have friends out there to help you.
Love and Prayers.
My sincere sympathy to the entire McKelvey family, and especially to Wayne. I attended Black Hills State with both Bob and Wayne. Bob,Wayne, George Martin , and I had many grand times together in our time there. I mourn the passing of a friend who was full of life and kind to all. We are all poorer. All my love, Rob Haddock
My smpathies are with Phyllis and her family at this time. My thoughts and prayers go out to them.
Phyliss, George and family, I am saddend by your loss of a wonderful man. A thought never has passed my mind where i did not think about how the family was doing. As for BOb He showed me that when i met him i was just a kid and gave me some good advice which i took. Tears shed threw my eyes, As i type this.
(the earth had no more use for him he was destined to be with the stars, where a soul will rest peacefully………
PHYLLIS, NICK, BECKY AND KIDS – WE ARE SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL OF YOU IN THIS TIME OF SYMPATHY. JUST REMEMBER WE ARE HERE FOR YOU ALWAYS AND LOVE YOU ALL.
GINA, JORDAN & AUSTIN
Wayne–So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen either of you but have many “fun” memories of years past with both of you!
We share in your loss. Please know we are here for you 24/7. We will miss Bob, he lives on in our hearts. He is finally at peace. Love always Wayne and Lana
George and family Sorry to here about Bob’s passing our hearts and prayers are with you at this time. Steven Selchert
Our condolence to you Phyllis and Nick. We enjoyed seeing you at Grace LC and miss you.
The age of 61 is much to young to be called to our heavenly home.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this time of sorrow.
Gods Blessings
Phyllis, Nick and family. Our thoughts are with you. If there is anything you need, please let me know.
Sandra
Wayne and Zana,
Sorry to hear about Bob, you have our condolences. He could be a ‘stinker’ but he was a great guy.
Fraternally, Helen
Wayne I am so sorry to hear about Bob. I am working at the Eastern Star Home filling in for someone that has been sick and getting ready to go to the fair tomorrow so won’t be able to be there for you, but you are in our thoughts and prayers. Yesterday we discussed Bob at the nursing home and said there was a guy. We saw him at Grand Chapter also many times, and what a guy. Even my son Scott remembers him and you and your parents so you all made a great impression in our lives.
You guys will always be remembered. Love ya
Marsha
My thoughts are with you all in the loss of your loved one Bob