Obituary: Robert Joseph Fangman

     Robert Joseph Fangman, affectionately known as “Bob” by everyone, was born to eternal life on Friday, April 5, 2013 after 84 years of gentle servitude. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, LaVerne Fangman, just ten months earlier. He is survived by son, Jim Fangman and wife Anne of Grapevine, Texas; daughter, Barbie Peeples-Golden and husband Tom of Monroe, Georgia; son, Paul Fangman and wife Diane of Jacksonville, Florida; and daughter, Nancy Smith and husband Dave, of Alpharetta, Georgia; grandchildren Jeff Fangman, Stephanie Detchessachar, Jobie Peeples, Savannah Smith, Morgan Fangman, Madison Fangman, Dillon Smith, and great grand-daughter, Lilly Fangman, as well as brothers Joseph and Marvin Fangman and sister, Mary Lou Shonka, all of Waterloo, Iowa.

    Bob lived through the Depression and began working at the age of sixteen during WWII, before serving his country during the Korean War. He spent his lifetime of work in the manufacturing sector working his way up to Plant Manager and eventual co-owner of Formed Metal Products in Monroe before retiring and starting his second career as a full time volunteer.

     Bob passionately served as a long time member of the Monroe Lions Club, twice receiving the Lion of the Year Award (‘74 & ‘92). In addition, he served as the 1978 Club President. In 2001, the Lions Club named Bob the ‘Melvin Jones Fellow’ for a lifetime dedicated to humanitarian services.

     He was a very active member of St. Anna’s Catholic Church for 50 years, devoting himself to many ministry roles. In 2012, Bob and Laverne were presented the first ever ‘Family of the Year’ award by St Anna’s in recognition of their many years of dedicated service.

     Upon his retirement from FMP, Bob became a very active volunteer at F.I.S.H (Faith in Serving Humanity), including serving on the Board of Directors. In 2006 Bob was presented the ‘Unsung Hero Award’ by the Walton Tribune and Loganville Tribune Newspapers for his tireless efforts to serve others.

    A ‘Celebration of Life’ memorial mass officiated by Father Dan Toof, was held in honor of Bob at St. Anna’s on Monday, April 8th at 11 a.m. Memorials in his name may be directed to F.I.S.H. Ministries, 700 South Madison Avenue, Monroe, Georgia 30655 or to the St. Anna’s Building fund, 836 E Spring Street, Monroe, GA 30655.

Reprinted Courtesy of Meadow's Funeral Home in Monroe