Robert L Bakewell

ROBERT LEE BAKEWELL, 90, OF Endicott, NE passed away Tuesday, October 11, 2016, at Bryan Medical Center in Lincoln, NE. He was born June 23, 1926 to Harry Francis and Hazel (Poffinbarger) Bakewell.

Robert will be dearly missed by his wife, Jane; son, Jeff and daughter-in-law Marcy; son, Greg and daughter-in-law Karen; grandsons Jared (Leigh) Bakewell and Jason (Christina) Bakewell; all of Omaha, NE; and granddaughters Christianne Bakewell of New Brunswick, NJ and Melissa Bakewell of Minneapolis, MN., nieces, nephews and numerous friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Donald (Doris) Bakewell; and twin brother, Richard Bakewell.

Robert attended Endicott Public Schools and graduated from high school in 1943. After graduation he attended Fairbury Junior College and farmed with his father. He then was employed as a salesman for two Beatrice, NE car dealerships from 1946- 1954.


On June 3, 1951 he married Jane Louise Fairchild at Endicott Methodist Church. For the next three years they made their home in Beatrice. This past July the couple celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary and 90th birthdays at an open house hosted by their family.

In 1954 the couple bought and moved to Jane’s childhood farm near Endicott. Robert worked for a year for Service Sales (Fairbury, NE hardware store). He then began employment with the R.L. Schainost Agency/Midwest Securities, a Fairbury independent insurance agency and finance company. Robert purchased this business in the late 1960’s and ran it until he retired. For several years thereafter he owned and operated Auto City, a Fairbury used car dealership. The couple raised livestock and planted a large garden at their farm.

Always having a love for automobiles, Robert began collecting and restoring antique cars, and enjoyed membership in several car clubs. He and Jane attended eighteen national antique car meets, and he occasionally served as a judge at several car shows.
Over the years Robert was actively involved in the Fairbury and Endicott communities. He was an officer and board member of the Endicott Public Schools, Endicott United Methodist Church, Fairbury Chamber of Commerce, Jefferson County Memorial Hospital, Fairbury Cemetery Association and Camp Jefferson. He was also a 4-H leader and a member of the Fairbury BPOE.

Robert and Jane enjoyed traveling together and meeting people. The couple was able to visit all 50 states, as well as England, the birthplace of Robert’s paternal grandparents.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 17, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Endicott with Pastor Doug Greiger officiating. Burial will be in the Fairbury Cemetery. The family will greet friends on Sunday from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are to the Endicott United Methodist Church,The Fairbury Cemetery Association and Camp Jefferson.