Robert Junge

John 11:2526 states,I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Daddy is now with his Savior, and in his real home. Even his quest for healthful eating that includedsardines, was replaced with the joy that can be found in Jesus Christ. In his search for the fountain of youth, he found instead the source of eternal life in the latter part of his life. We had the joy of witnessing my fathers realization that he was a sinner and in need of a Savior. Any tears shed, should be tears of joy because our Father is at last rejoicing in the presence of God. This past Sunday morning, on May 16, 2010, Robert Charles Junge age 94, was reunited with his wife, Betty and other family members that have passed on before him. He is survived by his children, Bobbie Shelton and husband Don from Longview, Texas Richard Junge and his wife Julie, from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Jimmy Junge and his wife Carla missionaries to Ghana, West Africa and BettyJane Junge from Coffeyville, Kansas as well as his sister, Dorothy Blair of Rochester, New York. He was the proud grandfather of 13 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Bob Junge was born to Oscar and Valley Junge in Chicago, Illinois on August 30, 1915. There, he attended and graduated from the Chicago Baking Institute. Shortly thereafter he met and married his wife, Betty Elaine Waddell, July 12, 1942 not long before he was called to serve his country during WWII in Fort Warren, Wyoming. It was there that he served as a staff sergeant and taught baking in addition to operating the army post bakery. After his honorable discharge in 1945, Bob worked at the Joplin baking plant in Missouri, where he was transferred soon after to the Junge Bakery in Coffeyville, Kansas. It was in Coffeyville that Bob Junge settled for good and raised his family. Bob worked at his family owned bakery and by the time of his retirement had baked more than 200 million loaves of bread. The Junge Bakery was known for participating in community events and at times to give free miniature loaves of bread. Moving from the baking industry he pursued another career with Medical Lodges for the next 20 years. Bob retired again, yet this marked only the beginning of his ability to continue his active service to the community. Bob Junge was a very active and caring citizen in his community. Aside from being a long term member at his church, First Baptist Church, he participated in the Junge Amature Hour, the American Legion, Chamber of Commerce, Relay for Life, United Way and two stock clubs in Coffeyville and Bartlesville, among other things. Bob not only gave freely of his time, but also his blood. His donations came to a total of 99 pints to the American Red Cross. Both the Salvation Army and the Rotary Club of Coffeyville benefited greatly from his participation. At the Rotary Club, Bob was elected as president from 19671968, and was a Paul Harris Fellow Award recipient during his 60 years of service. His was locally known as theWelcome to Rotary greeter and his friends hailed him as the manwho got new members and would ask anyone to join Rotary. At the Salvation Army Bob was on the advisory board for decades and was described as always givingabove and beyond. Bob gave many hours of service and love to his family, yet we are thankful that he learned late in life that there is no way we can earn or buy or work our way into heaven. The only way is to accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. John 3:16,For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish but have eternal life. May this verse that spoke so much to him, also speak to you so that you may join him one day in heaven. The funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 21, 2010 at the First Baptist Church on Ninth Street in Coffeyville, Kansas. Dr. Wayne Norton will officiate. Burial will follow at the Veterans Patio at Fairview Cemetery in Coffeyville. Friends may call on Thursday, May 20, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at PenwellGabel Funeral Home, FordWulf Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland, Coffeyville to sign the guest register. Family will greet friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. If anyone would like to make a memorial donation, please make it to First Baptist Church of Coffeyville, or The Salvation Army.