Robert F. Jefferis, Sr.

Jefferis, Robert F., age 85 of Oakwood, passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2009 at Sunrise of Oakwood. Born in Greenville, OH, he resided at 136 W. Water St. until he graduated from Greenville HS in 1941 where he was a member of the National Honor Society. Mr. Jefferis enlisted in the Army and fought in WWII as a staff sergeant in Southeast Asia C.B.I. (India). "The one world figure I knew was Lord Louis Mountbatten," he liked to say. Bob recently traveled to Washington D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial with the Honor Flight program. Many thanks to the people of Honor Flight. He graduated from Miami University with a BS in Business Administration and then graduated from Northwestern Law School with a Juris Doctorate. After 23 years he retired from DP&L's legal department and spent the next 28 years as a probate attorney for the Dayton community, for a total of 51 years as a practicing lawyer. He also served as president of DP&L's retiree club for many years, served as the first president of the Oakwood Historical Society in 1974 and was responsible for preserving the Justice Dedicae carving from the old Montgomery County Courthouse and installing it in the wall on Courthouse Square near Main Street in Dayton. A lifelong Presbyterian, Mr. Jefferis served as an elder, a deacon, and as a dedicated volunteer for Westminster Presbyterian Church in Dayton. Robert married Betsie in 1952 and was married to her for 44 years. He enjoyed his 5 children, 1 girl and 4 boys, who he made sure had very happy childhoods. Preceded in death by his beloved wife Betsie in 1997, Mr. Jefferis is survived by his sister Betty Pritchard, his brother Jim Jefferis, his daughter Jeanne Jefferis, sons Robert Jr., Steve (Kari), Mark "Mick" and Joseph (Christine) Jefferis and four granddaughters and three grandsons. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 24, 2009 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Wilkinson St., Dayton, OH. The family will receive friends on Friday, July 24, 2009 from 4-6:00 PM at Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering, OH. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church. Condolences and other remembrances may be sent to the family at www.routsong.com.

Funeral Home:
Kettering Routsong Funeral Home
2100 E. Stroop Rd.
Kettering, OH
US 45429