Robert Dean Slentz

Robert Dean Slentz (age 95) went to his heavenly home on Monday February 24, 2025.

Born August 20, 1929 to Russell & Violet (Leason) Slentz he was the 5th of 8 children. For his early educational years, he attended 2 rural school houses in Troy Township and then graduated from the old Butler High School in 1948, where he participated in band.

He was married the love of his life Anna Louise (Bauman) for 73 years, who took his breath away even at the very end.

He worked hard his entire life, starting at very young age, where he learned how to care and work the land, while gently tending to a variety of animals over the course of his life. He was a lifelong farmer, and was even getting into a combine at age 93 to help with harvest. His first job was at Hendrickson’s in Butler, which was short lived, as he started hauling milk with his brother Ray, and eventually became co-owner of Slentz Brother’s trucking. Their business started by hauling canned milk and progressed with the times to hauling bulk milk from local farmers to a variety of different dairy’s.

He was actively involved as a member of the former Butler United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Farm Bureau and the Butler Lions Club. He was an excellent dancer and member of “Skirts & Shirts” square dance club in Auburn, that performed a variety of locations and events.

After retiring he spent the winter months at Sunshine RV Resort Park in Harlingen, TX for 20 plus years. He was a very talented Euchre player, that could make a trick out of any hand, and eventually taught all of his children, grandchildren and many great-grandchildren how to play. Through the years you could count on seeing him in the show barn stands fair week watching his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren showing a variety of livestock. He and his beautiful bride held the title of longest married couple in DeKalb County for 6 years. He was a loving, gentle, kind, and humorous father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend that never knew a stranger.

He is preceded in death by his parents, 2 infant siblings, brothers: Ray (Paula) Slentz, Herbert (Joyce & Margaret) Slentz, Elmer (Donna) Slentz; brother & sister-in- laws: Donald Girardot, Arlon Bauman, Howard Baulkey, Edie Slentz; son & daughter-in-law: Michael (Becky) Slentz and grandchild: Kendra Meal.

He leaves behind his beautiful bride, siblings: Lois Girardot, Walter Slentz; brother & sister-in-law’s: Margorie Baulkey, Janice Bauman, Norene (Norman) Kinsey, William (Judy) Bauman; daughters: Diane (Kim) Meal, Denise (Mitch) Shepherd; 6 grandchildren: Crystal (Jon) Huddlestone, John (Stephanie) Slentz, Rachel (Matt) Jun, Ashley (Brandon) Brown, Lance (Tori) Shepherd, and Matthew (Fei-Ma) Slentz, and 12 great grandchildren who adored him: Rowan, Noah, Mya, Pearl, Lola, Maddox, Hadley, Steele, Robbie, Grace, Rebecca, and Olivia.

Services will be 11 AM Friday February 28, 2025 at Butler Christian Community Church, (formerly the Butler United Methodist Church), 501 Green Street, Butler, IN 46721. Pastor Rick Stiver will be officiating. Burial will follow the service in Butler Cemetery. Visitation is Thursday from 3 to 7 PM at the Feller and Clark Funeral Home, 1860 Center Street, Auburn, IN with additional visitation on Friday from 10 to 11 at the church. Memorials can be given in memory of Bob to the Wilmington, Troy and Stafford Township 4 H Auction Committee or the Butler Christian Community Church Women’s group. To send condolences to the family visit www.fellerandclark.com.

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