On the afternoon of May 31, 2017, with his family around him, Robert (Bob) Carter entered the pearly gates of heaven to meet the Lord of his life and all the family and friends who have gone on before him. Bob was born January 7, 1926 in Wheeling, West Virginia to George Sampson Carter and Mildred Sarah Ault Carter. He graduated from Wheeling High School and immediately was inducted into the U.S. Army serving in World War II at the Battle of the Bulge. Being in the Medical Corp, he helped to set up a hospital near the front lines to care for the injured brought in from front lines. Following his return to the United States he was asked by his commander to set up a machine shop in Atlantic City to train wounded soldiers when they returned home, teaching them basic machine shop skills.
Following discharge, Bob enrolled in Anderson University, graduating in 1956 and feeling his call to the Christian ministry continued his studies and graduated from Anderson Theological Seminary. He pastored 51 years at Middletown, Indiana, preaching his last sermon on April 2, 2017. He was active in both the Anderson and Middletown Ministerial Association. He led the church in a building program, after the purchase of seven acres of prime land along State Road 236. He never accepted a salary in all the 50 plus years and refused to accept an honorarium for weddings and funerals of church members. He often was called to the hospital to be with a family in middle of the night for special needs like accident, serious illness, or death or even suicide. He led a pastor's class for many years on Sunday evening for middle school children and taught an adult Bible Class in more recent years. For eleven years he led a church service every Sunday night at the local nursing home, ministering to the aged. Because of the confidence shown by his co-workers at this place of employment he was often asked to serve in the funerals and weddings of their families. Living in Anderson he transported college youth to church three times a week. He encouraged college youth to spread their winds and allowed them into his pulpit to preach or witness or sing. There are former members of his congregation who now serve in states from California to Florida, who got their start in Middletown Church of God. Bob often carried food to shut-ins or terminally ill patients. He was truly a leader and a positive role model. He was always encouraging, taking time for children activities and a demonstration of love for seniors. At 80 he held a full time job plus his work in church ministry. He gave so much.
He married Bette Jean Berry on August 26, 1950. They were blessed with two daughters, Jyll Renee (Jeff) Humble, Anderson, IN and Johanna Lynne (Jan) Cook, Daleville, IN. Grandchildren are Brodie Clinton Cook, Zachary David Cook, Ajah (Chris) Williams, Anastasia and Lily, Ingalls, IN; Savanah (Joe) Ryder, Niles, MI, Kannon, Ryder, and Rhiannon.
The funeral service will be Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at 12:30 PM at First Church of God, Middletown with Dr. David Markle and Dr Donald Johnson officiating. Burial will take place at East Maplewood Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Monday, June 5, 2017 from 5 to 7 PM at the Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service, 229 South Rangeline Road, Anderson, IN
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Church of God, P.O. Box 145, Middletown, IN 47356.
Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com.