Robert E. McPherson, age 91, of Kahoka, MO, passed away on Saturday, July 3, 2004 in Keokuk Area Hospital, Keokuk, IA. He was born August 21, 1912 in Sand Hill Township in Scotland County, MO, a son of Fred and Essie Matlick McPherson. He married Myrtle Bergman on October 1, 1938 in Lancaster, MO. She preceded him in death on September 18, 1972 after nearly 34 years of marriage. He was blessed again when he was united in marriage to Orpha Wilsey Hardman on October 6, 1974 in Kahoka, MO. Survivors include his wife, Orpha, of Kahoka, MO; one son, Roger McPherson and his wife, Connie, of Muscatine, IA; a step-son, Robert Hardman of Wayland, MO; two grandchildren: Andrew McPherson and his wife, Seana, of Mt. Prospect, IL and their daughter, Natalie; and Claire Lundberg and her husband, Brett, of Minneapolis, MN; two step-grandchildren, Heather Luft and her daughter, Kinzle, of Keokuk, IA and Christina Hardman-Long and her children, Trinity and Nevaeh, of Keokuk, IA; two sisters, Freda Lowe of LaBelle, MO and Elaine Balfour of Indianapolis, IN; three sisters-in-law, Iola Weller of Kahoka, MO, Alta Wilsey of Wayland, MO, and Florence McPherson of Edina, MO; as well as nieces, nephews, and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Myrtle; two brothers, one in infancy and Stephen "Jack"McPherson; and, two sisters, Edna Mae and Wilma Dean McPherson. Bob graduated from Rutledge High School in Rutledge, MO and started working in the family sawmill and threshing business. Jobs became scarce in the Great Depression and he came to Clark Co. in 1935 seeking employment in the CCC Camp. He worked as an orderly and started his barbering career by cutting hair on the side to make a little extra money. He continued with barbering, graduating from Barber College in St. Louis in 1940 and for four years barbered in Kirkwood, MO. He and Myrtle returned to Clark County where he filled positions at the Kahoka Cheese Co. during World War II, later working for Moore Business Forms from 1952 until it burned in 1961. Through the years he had worked with Shorty Farnsworth, John Miller, and Buck's Barbershop, with the past 40 years being spent behind his chair in the Duer Hotel until his eyesight started to fail him and he found it necessary to retire in 2002. Barbering was always the mainstay in his life and it also became his mission as he spent many hours at the Clark Co. Nursing Home taking care of its' residents until he could no longer see well enough. Barbering was the perfect occupation for Bob as he loved people and loved telling stories. He valued friendships and he never knew a stranger. His foremost hobby was "people" and his interests were many. He collected Indian artifacts and loved tinkering in his shop. He loved taking care of his yard, his vegetable garden, and caring for his chickens. He had attended the Kahoka Methodist Church and was a member of the Clark Co. Historical Society. Funeral services are Monday, July 5, 2004 at 10:30 a.m. at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka with Rev. Clayton Peak officiating. Burial will be in Kahoka Cemetery.
(Contributed by Juanita Sloan Lowrance)