Robert James Ludington's Obituary
Robert (Bob) James Ludington of Sewal, Iowa passed away on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, in long term care at the Wayne County Hospital in Corydon, Iowa. He was 90 years of age.
Bob was born on April 26, 1931, to Glen and Polly (Batterson) Ludington at the family farmhouse two miles south of Sewal. He enjoyed a happy childhood with loving parents, two brothers and three sisters: Merle, June, Jene, Mildred, and William. He grew up helping his parents with every aspect of the farm work.
Bob graduated from Sewal High School in 1948. He enjoyed school and being on the basketball team. He also enjoyed boxing and even boxed a Golden Glove Champion. Bob was baptized at the Sewal Pond when he was a young adult and became a member of the Sewal Methodist Church.
Bob and Erma Jean Gatrel of Powersville, Missouri were united in marriage on December 10, 1949, at the Sewal Parsonage. They were married 72 years at the time of his passing. Bob and Erma Jean became the proud parents of five children: Bobby, Tommy, Brenda, Louise, and Logan.
In 1959, Bob and Erma Jean purchased the farm and home a quarter of a mile east of his family homestead. They acquired more land over time and the family worked hard raising crops and taking care of livestock. The family also raised 30,000 turkeys per year through the '60s. The turkeys were delivered as chicks and raised in their own buildings until grown enough to be put out on the range to later be sold. In 1969, a tornado struck the farm taking barns, sheds, corn cribs, etc., and thousands of turkeys and the equipment. This caused the end of raising turkeys.
Bob purchased his first semi-truck in 1952 which led to decades of hauling fruits, vegetables, etc., but mainly grain and livestock. He trucked in every state except Vermont, Alaska and Hawaii. He sometimes took the kids along and would stop to show them the sights along the way. There many 18 wheelers throughout the years and drivers were also employed.
The family took time off from farm work to go to the Iowa State Fair, the Wayne County Fair, and other outings. The most anticipated trips were to Florida during Christmas school breaks. Bob and Erma Jean's children were always excited to leave the cold Iowa weather to travel many miles in a fully packed car to visit their Florida relatives, see the ocean and many other sights, and to enjoy the sunshine.
Bob and Erma Jean struggled through the farm crisis of the '80s. Going into town and seeing the crosses on the courthouse lawn representing farms lost was difficult.
In his later years, Bob ceased raising crops but always continued raising cattle, and even kept the cow that broke his neck in 2007. He knew "every inch" of the land, having spent most of his life there working hard and taking care of his family.
Bob was quite the checker player. If he lost a game, most likely he allowed it to happen so that he'd be challenged to another game. It was the same with arm wrestling. Bob enjoyed family gatherings, spending time with his children and grandchildren, and Erma Jean's cooking. He liked Kenworths, Chevrolets, International tractors, chocolate ice cream, popcorn, and watching old westerns.
Bob was a very hard worker, determined, confident, strong, witty, tender-hearted, and wise and helped many people along the way. He was never a complainer and if times were hard, he never shared his concerns. Several people have said he was the "toughest man they every knew" -- in a good way. Words cannot express the feelings of losing this man. Bob would say he had a "good run" even though he was unable to go out the way he had wished.
Survivors include his wife Erma Jean; son Tommy (Robbie), daughter Brenda (Boyd), daughter Louise, son Logan (Tammy); daughter-in-law Cindy; grandchildren Tesia, Corey, Cadie, Travis, Ashley, Haley, Nick, and James; brother Bill (Blanca); sister-in-law Eva; very close friend Bob; and several great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by son Bobby and grandson David.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Sewal Church at 10:30 AM on Saturday, April 30, 2022 with Leroy Perkins to officiate.
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