Robert Elmor Wallace

Robert Elmor Wallace, born on February 28, 1950, to Fred and Ruby (Meinershagen) Wallace in St. Louis, MO, passed away unexpectedly at his home on July 15, 2025. The Wallace family lived in the New Melle area until 1966 when they moved to Frankford. Growing up, Robert was actively involved in 4-H, FFA, and played Khoury League baseball. Funeral services will be Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. at Bibb-Veach Funeral Homes and Crematory in Bowling Green with Rev. Richard Epperson officiating. Visitation will be Saturday, July 19th, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Robert graduated from Bowling Green High School in 1969. He married Mary Ann Kirk in September of 1969, and they had two children, Debbie and Kris. He later married Bonnie Riffle on December 12, 1975, and they had three children, Vance, Bobby Wayne, and April Day. During and after high school, Robert worked at various local service stations. He later worked at Flynn Well Drilling and as a union iron worker. In 1985, he joined the Pike County Highway Department as a road grader operator, where he worked until his retirement in 2013 after 28 years of service. Robert was a lifelong mechanic, anything prior to computer enhanced vehicles, he could fix. Robert contracted various side jobs with his heavy equipment. He was also the local tire man, hay man, and loved tending to his cattle. Robert cherished spending time with family and friends and was known for making new friends everywhere he went. He also enjoyed mechanical work (Bob’s Repair), heavy equipment work, and his cattle and hay business. He loved finding good deals and listening to good old country music. Robert was well known for his inquisitive nature and was always ready to help others at a moment’s notice. He was a legendary road grader operator, especially appreciated by families living on Pike 48 and 49. Many great memories were made camping at White Sands with the family, riding trails on three-wheelers, four-wheelers, and more recently, side-by-sides, as well as trail riding on horses and mules. He also enjoyed coon hunting and deer hunting with his buddies. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Ruby; infant son, Bobby Wayne; and nephew, Ronnie Preston. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Bonnie (Riffle) Wallace of Frankford; his children: daughter Debbie (Scott) Buchanan of Frankford, and their children, Danielle Buchanan and Brandon (Joelle) Buchanan; daughter Kris Garrison of Bowling Green, and her children, Jarod (Rachel) Peak, Tiffany (Saxton) Cole, and Jeremy (Samantha) Garrison; son Vance (Dawn) Smith, and their children, Lorelei (Brad) Stoops, Candance (Josh) Campbell, Dylan Smith, Gage Smith, Brendenn Smith, Jake Niemeyer, Cameron (Cara) Niemeyer, and Dylan Niemeyer; and daughter April (Tim) Luebbers and their children Avril and Baylee Luebbers. Robert is also survived by 13 great grandchildren; his sister Brenda (Mike) Cook of Frankford; brother Leon (Petra) Wallace of Hannibal in addition to numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Jim Ford, Ozark Bailey, Gary Keeven, Larry Keller, Rick Worley and Kenny McCarthy. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or donor’s choice. Robert will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Robert Elmor Wallace

February 28, 1950 - July 15, 2025