Rev. Robert Merrill "Bob" Campbell

Rev. Robert Merrill “Bob” Campbell, 96, of Shelbyville, passed away Friday, September 16, 2022, at his daughter’s home in Greenfield.

He was born August 23, 1926, in Marietta, the only child of Oatis A. and Helen I. (Emerick) Campbell.  On September 23, 1949, he married the love of his life, Vera Darleen Noe, and she preceded him in death on March 7, 2013.

Rev. Campbell is survived by his children, Rev. Terry D. Campbell and wife, Pamela, of Greenfield, and Rev. Sandy Cooper and husband, Rev. Gary, of Greenfield; four grandchildren, Tracy, Jill, Ben and Liz; and two step-grandchildren, Rachael and Leah; 13 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to Darleen, Rev. Campbell was preceded in death by his parents.

Bob graduated in 1943 from Mount Auburn High School.  He received his bachelor of science degree from Indiana University and his Masters of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary in 1970.

He was a U.S. Marine Corp. veteran, serving during World War II.

Rev. Campbell began serving as a minister in 1967, and served in many churches throughout his ministry.  Some of the congregations he ministered to were Philadelphia from 1967 to 1970; Bright-Logan United Methodist Church from 1970 to 1972; Old Bethel United Methodist Church in Indianapolis from 1972 to 1976; St. Paul United Methodist Church in Bloomington from 1976 to 1982; Connersville Grand Avenue United Methodist Church from 1982 to 1988; Greensburg United Methodist Church 1988 to 1993; and from 1993 to 2006 at the First United Methodist Church in Shelbyville, as visitation pastor.

He was formerly the personnel director for Farm Machinery from 1949 to 1950 and had a Kirby Sweeper Distributorship in East Central Indiana from 1950 to 1967.

Bob was an avid tennis player, playing well into his 90’s.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, September 19, 2022, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville and from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church, 34 W. Washington St. in Shelbyville.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, at the church, with Revs. Colin and Heather Cress officiating.

Interment will be at Miller Cemetery in Shelby County.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 34 W. Washington St. in Shelbyville.

Online condolences may be shared with Rev. Campbell’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.