Robert R. Bivens Sr., age 82, of New Castle, passed away Saturday, September 19, 2009 at the Henry County Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was born May 11, 1927 to the late Madison M. and Maude Mae (Houston) Bivens in Loudon Co. Tennessee.
Robert was a veteran of the U.S. Army during WWII. He retired from Chrysler Corp in 1989 after 20 years of service. He was previously employed by the Goodyear Plant in Muncie for 20 years. He was a Kentucky Colonel and was a commodore of the Rising Sun Yacht Club. He was a member of the NRA. He enjoyed boating and spending time with his family.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years: Bernice (Maynard) Bivens; four children: Laura (husband: Kenneth) Wenger of Muncie, Robert Bivens Jr.(fiancé: Stacy Middleton) of Connersville, Kenneth D. Bivens (special friend: Rose Reece) of Connersville, Ronald J. Bivens (friend: Barry Guffey) of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; grandchildren: Jennifer Smalley (fiancé: Milan Setka) of Dandridge, TN, Cheryl Landis of Noblesville, Raymond Kerry Bivens, Joseph Casey Bivens, of New Castle, Ashley (Brad) Preston of Nicholasville, KY, Vincent Riley of Centerville, Ryan Newtz of Lexington, KY, Morgan Middleton of Connersville, Sabrina Dione Roy (husband: Brian) of Knightstown, Krystal Lynn Bivens (special friend: Keith Shaw) of New Castle, Sharon (husband: Joe) Bergen of Ft. Irwin, CA; eleven great grandchildren: Allison Smalley, Charles Michael Landis III, Bryce Kenneth Landis, Peyton Trent Preston, Kylie Danielle Walker, Adam Michael Bivens, Kiara Faith Swain, Gracelynn Hope Shaw, Emma Love Shaw, Vance Tyler Bergen & Luke Avery Bergen; one sister: Grace Lane of Cleveland, TN and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a grandson: Robert Kelly Bivens and eight brothers and sisters.
Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle with Fran Bullock and Elliott Perry officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hills Memory Gardens. Friends may call from 4 - 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at
www.hinsey-brown.com
.