Bob Dearth of Monroe, Wisconsin, age 79, passed away Friday June 15, 2012. He was born in rural Lafayette County on January 1, 1933, and moved to Monroe in 1943 with his mother, the late Mrs. Nellie Dearth. He graduated from Monroe High School in 1950, and on December 1, 1956, he married Shirley Hornbeck at St. Victor's church, and she survives him. Bob had four children, Laura Huston, Sandra (Walt J.) Rufener, Roger Dearth, and Linda (Kevin) Palmer, along with five grandchildren, Benjamin Rufener, Sarah Huston, Tamela Rufener, Daniel Dearth, and Cynthia Ellen Palmer. Bob's service to his family, his community, and his customers were the pillars of his life, and from humble beginnings arose a very humble and giving man. He enjoyed a lifetime in the automobile business at Dearth Motors, first with his brother Joseph Dearth, and then his nephew and dear friend Charles "Chuck" Dearth, but in business, the Dearth "family" extended to the hundreds of dealership employees over the decades. Bob was a member of St. Victor's Catholic Church, the Monroe Chamber of Commerce (President in 1969), the Jaycees, the Monroe Country Club, the Alpine Curling Club, the Moose Lodge, and the Knights of Columbus. For their 50th wedding anniversary in 2006, they hosted a party for 350 local needy children, including not just a day of fun, food, and entertainment, but also a new warm winter coat for each child. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the warm and caring staff at the Monroe Clinic Dialysis Center, who allowed Bob to have a few extra years on this earth, and Bob would always remember their birthdays with special treats. Visitation will be Wednesday, June 20th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., at the Shriner Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home in Monroe, services will be Thursday, June 21st at 11:00 a.m. at St. Victor's Catholic Church in Monroe, and burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Monroe. The family requests in lieu of flowers memorials sent to the Monroe Christmas Stocking Club (901 16th Avenue, Monroe) and the School District of Monroe (c/o Bob Dearth Athletic Memorial Fund).

Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.