Mr. Robert Wayne “Bob” Newton, 69, proud patriot and U.S. Navy veteran from Edwardsburg, MI, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph Regional Medical Facility in Mishawaka on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 7:38 pm. He was born in Elkhart on October 22, 1951 to Wayne (Nola) Newton and Betty Shaver, both of Elkhart, and then married Susan Wolschlager on November 22, 1975. She passed away in 1984.
Surviving is his son, Matthew (Laura) Newton of Niles, MI; step-daughters Melissa (Angel) Gonzalez Cate and Cristy Cate; sister Phyl (Craig) Stiver and brother Doug Smith; grandson Matthew Newton, several step-grandchildren and special friend Marcia Harding, as well as a host of loving extended family, friends, Navy buddies and fellow Patriot Guard comrades.
In accordance with Bob’s wishes, cremation is to take place and a private memorial service is to follow at Faith United Methodist Church, Goshen, on Friday, January 8, 2020. The Reverend John Hogsett will officiate, and burial will follow at Rice Cemetery in Elkhart with full military honors rendered by the US Navy Funeral Honor guard, Elkhart DAV #19 and the Northern Indiana Patriot Guard.
Bob was a 1970 graduate of Concord High School and went on to serve honorably in the US Navy aboard the USS Saratoga during Vietnam; landing, departing and stowing incoming and out-bound aircraft as a “Plane Captain”. He was an accomplished welder at Elkhart Hitch Shop in Elkhart, but his heart belonged to his Patriot Guard family. He served in Indiana and in Michigan and sat on the Patriot Guard Board of Directors, as well as standing countless hours in all types of weather in honor of his fallen comrades. He was also a reserve law enforcement officer for the Ontwa Township Police Department and the Cass County Sheriff’s Department and served as a firearms instructor. Bob will be best remembered as a fierce patriot, a die-hard friend, proud Navy veteran, staunch Republican and will continue to vote Republican!
Memorial donations may be given to the Northern Indiana Patriot Guard in Bob’s honor. Thank you for your interest in Bob’s life story.
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