MARION -- Robert V. "Bob" Power, 91, formerly of Marion, passed away Nov. 17, 2017, at his home in North Port, Florida.
Bob, the son of John A. and Mary Ellen (Powers) Power, was born June 4, 1926, in rural Bellflower. He was a member of the 1944 graduating class at Bellflower Township High School.
He was united in marriage to Margaret J. (Rude) Martin on Oct. 5, 1957, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion. They shared more than 47 years of happy marriage until her death on May 15, 2005.
After serving 19 months in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Bob enrolled at St. Louis University, where he graduated in 1950 with a degree in accounting. He then moved to Marion to take a position as a junior accountant with Gray Hunter Stenn & Co. CPA firm. His spent his entire career with that organization, where he rose from junior accountant to senior accountant and became a partner and later a managing partner.
He retired in 1989, and he and Margaret spent several winters at their winter home in Venice, Florida, combing the beach for shark's teeth and seashells. For several years, they delivered for Meals on Wheels, and Bob volunteered at Marion Food Pantry.
Robert was a lifetime member of Marion BPOE No. 800 and charter member of Marion KC Council 6210, where he obtained 4th degree status. He joined St. Joseph Catholic Church when he moved to Marion and, over the years, served in various capacities, including usher, Eucharistic minister, member of the original parish council and trustee.
Survivors include his brother, John A. Power Jr. of Bellflower; five children and stepchildren (and their spouses) that he and Margaret raised, Dr. Sam W. Martin and his wife Darlene Martin of Dickinson, Texas, Dr. Don Martin and his wife Dr. Lynn Martin of Marion, Jane Sharp and her husband F. Rozier Sharp of North Port, Florida, Dr. John D. Power and his wife Lori Power of Marion and Mary Ann (Power) Gonser of Arlington, Virginia; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; extended family; and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, James F. Power; and six sisters, Mary A. Brown, Margaret Neal, Helen Christian, Teresa Brewer, Alma Hermes and Cecelia Tudor.
Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 600 Russell St., in Marion. Private interment beside Margaret will follow at a later date in Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either Marion Food Pantry or Birthdate of Bloomington, Illinois.
Farley Funeral Home in North Port, Florida, and Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home in Marion are in charge of arrangements.
