John Robert Jenkins, age 89, a Waterford Township resident since 1950, died Sunday, April 14, 2013 at 1:00 a.m. at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Born in Girard on October 27, 1923, he was a son of the late John C. and Rhea Myers Jenkins.
Bob grew up in Union City and graduated from Union City High School. He worked for a short time at Bell Aircraft in Buffalo, NY until 1943 when he entered the United States Army Air Corp and served during World War II as an aerial gunner and radio operator on B17’s. After his honorable discharge, he worked for the United Geophysical Co. in West Texas, and on July 10, 1947, he married Betty Jo Ikard in Pecos, Texas.
Bob and his twin brother, Richard, owned and operated Jenkins Tractor and Implement Service in Waterford for many years. Later, Bob worked for and retired from Harborcreek Township.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Waterford, he was a former school board director of Fort LeBoeuf School District, and he was a member of the Waterford Cemetery Board.
Preceding him in death were his parents, John C. and Rhea Jenkins; his sister, Priscilla Whitehill; his twin brother, Richard Jenkins; his nephew, Jeffrey Jenkins; and his son-in-law, Ray Baum.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Betty Jo; his daughter, Rebecca Baum of Union City; and two sons, John I. Jenkins and Michael S. Jenkins and wife Cindy, all of Waterford. Also, six grandchildren: Douglas Thomas of Mount Washington, KY, Stacy Stobaugh of Rocky Mount, NC, Shelly Wright and her husband, Brian of Union City, Jennifer Caro of Edinboro, and Samantha and Christine Jenkins of Waterford; and several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Funeral Home, 105 Walnut Street, Waterford on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral services will take place there Wednesday morning at 10:00 a.m. officiated by Rev. Emily Zeig-Lindsey, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. Interment will be in Waterford Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 112 West Third Street, Waterford, PA 16441.
To the family of Mr. John Robert Jenkins: My condolences for your loss. John Claire Jenkins (John Robert’s father) was the brother of my grandmother Gladys Minerva Jenkins (Irwin).
You have my deepest sympathy across the years, and miles. God bless you each and every one.
Sharyn Melinda Irwin (Pease)