Obituary of Robert William Thomas Bales

Robert (Bob) William Thomas Bales, 76, peacefully passed away on June 15, 2019 and was called to “the ultimate of the blessed in Heaven.”

He was born on November 10, 1942, in Springfield, Illinois, the son J. Russell and Mary (Buedehl) Bales.

Bob was an Alumni of Sacred Heart Academy in Springfield, Illinois, where after graduating he became a member of the Local 477 Labor Union. Ultimately, he pursued his desire to attend and acquire his blacksmith license which became his life’s work. Bob was a former member of Missouri Equine Council, (BAM) Blacksmith Association of Missouri and American Ferrier’s Association.

Upon retirement, he moved form his home state to Eldon, where he converted from Catholicism to Lutheran and became an attending member of Bethany Lutheran Church.

Bob was articulate and skilled in specialized corrective shoeing, particularly on standard breed race horses in and around Chicagoland area race tracks.

He enjoyed spending time in his shop making and designing unique objects. He spent the last three years making religious crosses upon people’s request.

While battling cancer, he still continued to live out his remaining days doing what he loved most, which was forging things while bringing a legacy of his work to life and leaving his everlasting imprint marking a lifetime well spent.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Nancee Jo (Harre) Bales of 54 years; two daughters, Stefanie of Eldon, MIssouri and Christina of Camdenton, Missouri;  a sister, Mary Ann Caleara of Springfield, Illinois; along with various nieces and nephews; three grandsons, Brandon Cavanaugh of Braidwood, Illinois, Simeon Oppligher of Camdenton, Missouri and Gavin Bales of Nashville, Tennessee; and one granddaughter, Cassidy Bales of Eldon, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, J. Russell and Mary (Buedehl) Bales, and his son, Robert Thomas Bales.

Services will be held at 2:00 pm,  Saturday, June 22, 2019, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Eldon, Missouri.  The family will welcome friends for visitation from 1:30-2:00 pm prior to services at the church.