Robert E. “Bob” Pickering, 91, of rural Boone County, Indiana, passed away peacefully Saturday afternoon, April 27, 2024, at Maple Park Village in Westfield. He was born September 18, 1932, to the late John W. and Carolyn (Henley) Pickering, on the family farm at Lewisville in Henry County. He was involved in the farm operations, which included raising hogs, beef and dairy cattle, and grain, and began showing Hereford cattle in his youth. During the 1950 State Fair he was named the “Outstanding 4-H Hereford Calf Club Boy” and was awarded a Hereford heifer.
Bob graduated from Lewisville High School in 1951 and entered Purdue University that fall. In 1954, he returned home to assist with the family farming operations when his father was tragically killed in an auto accident. He returned to Purdue in 1958 and graduated in 1961 with a master’s degree in Ag Econ. He began his career with Duff Farm Management in 1961. In 1987 he opened his own practice, Pickering Farm Management and Real Estate, Inc. In addition, he was passionate about raising registered Herefords, along with grain and hay crops.
He was a member and served as president of the Indiana Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers Association. He served as secretary of the Indiana Hereford Association for many years. He was a past president of the Boone County 4-H fair board, and a member of the Purdue Ag Alumni Association.
Bob was married in 1953 to Ruth Eileen (McDonald) Pickering; she survives. Together they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last May. Their children are Martha (Brad) Scott, Brian (Jo) Pickering, and Sharon Cottrell. Their six grandchildren are Ryan (Kristen) Scott, Todd (Crystal) Scott, Shalee (Josh) Butcher, Tyler Pickering, Megan (Jordan) Stearns, and Shannon Cottrell; and nine great grandchildren, Ashley Feller, Will Feller, Brayden Scott, Mari Scott, Tynlee Scott, Lona Butcher, Tatum Butcher, Parker Stearns and Kacie Stearns. Also surviving are a brother, John Pickering and a sister, Janet Wesley, both of Lewisville and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Lou Wicker, and brothers-in-law, Richard Wicker and Ronald Wesley.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Myers Mortuary, 1502 North Lebanon Street in Lebanon, Indiana. Funeral Services are planned for 12:00 noon, on Friday, May 10, 2024, at the funeral home with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m.. Interment will follow services at Lewisville Cemetery in Lewisville, Indiana.
Memorials may be directed in his memory to Boone County 4-H Clubs, 1300 East 100 South Lebanon, IN 46052 or Rotary International Polio Plus Fund, One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201–3698 or www.Rotary.org/donate.
Online condolences: www.MyersMortuary.com