“His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:23 KJV
Rev. Robert Wesley Morrow
(April 5, 1933 - September 30, 2023)
Bob Morrow was my elder at the Sparta RPCNA - such a humble man!
I was a member of the Sparta RP Church years ago and I remember how faithfully Bob watched over me and my son. It was at least a 30 min. drive from Sparta to my home in Waterloo and he would do home visits, plus discipled my son in a weekly Bible Study. These things are rare in today's society - but Bob held to the "old" ways. You can be assured he performed his duty as an elder to the best of his ability. He was quite the godly man.
I didn't know how much the good Lord had used him in ministry until reading his obituary as he never bragged, but instead displayed kindness and humilty. I'm certain he has now heard "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Condolences and prayers for Bob's family, friends and loved ones.
- With Christian love, Angela Wittman
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Rev. Robert Wesley Morrow, 90, Sparta, Illinois, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, at Bria of Columbia.
Robert was born in College Springs, Iowa, on April 5, 1933, to William L. and Martha Mae (McKibbon) Morrow. He attended country school in Pleasant Valley and Olive Branch in Clarinda, IA. Robert became a communicant member of the Clarinda Reformed Presbyterian Church in 1953. Robert graduated from Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA, in 1957.
While attending Geneva, Robert met Shirley Ann Smith. They were married on July 29, 1955, in Beaver Falls. Robert attended Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh from 1957-1961, and he continued to serve the Reformed Presbyterian Church for the rest of his life. He was ordained by the Pacific Coast Presbytery, September 13, 1961, and was called to serve as a missionary pastor in Hot Springs, New Mexico, until 1964. Robert then pastored in Morning Sun, Iowa, from 1964-1967. During that time, he was the moderator of presbytery and led the youth as Young People’s Secretary. In the fall of 1967, Robert moved to Ohio to pastor the Belle Center congregation until 1974, during which time he was presbytery clerk and later moderator, Young People’s Secretary, and served on various committees. Robert moved to Sparta, Illinois, in 1975 to pastor the Sparta Reformed Presbyterian Church. The Sparta community became his home. He pastored the congregation until 1983 and then remained in that congregation as a ruling elder for nearly 30 years and served in the denomination in many ways. Robert owned R & S Auto Service with his sons, Sam, and Eric, and drove a school bus for Sparta schools.
Together Robert and Shirley raised four children, Mary Morrow, Samuel (Denise) Morrow, Eric Morrow, and Ruth Ann (Dwaine) Armentrout. He enjoyed traveling, camping, hunting, gardening, and spending time with his grandchildren.
Robert is survived by his children and by his grandchildren, Caleb, Levi, Cara, and Kate Armentrout, and Brenna, Devin, Steven, and Vanessa Morrow. Robert is also survived by his brothers and sisters as well as many nieces and nephews.
Robert was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Shirley. He talked about her often in these last years and looked forward to being with her in heaven with their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was also preceded in death by his brother David. Robert was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 pm on Friday, October 6, 2023, at Sparta Reformed Presbyterian Church, 605 N. Market Street, Sparta, Illinois 62286, with Pastor Ross Fearing officiating. Burial to follow at Hill Prairie Cemetery, Sparta, Illinois. Friends may visit the family at the church on Thursday from 5 to 8 pm and on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the start of the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sparta Reformed Presbyterian Church or Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA, c/o Wilson's Funeral Home, PO Box 217, Steeleville, IL 62288. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wilson’s Funeral Home, Steeleville, Illinois.
Robert was born in College Springs, Iowa, on April 5, 1933, to William L. and Martha Mae (McKibbon) Morrow. He attended country school in Pleasant Valley and Olive Branch in Clarinda, IA. Robert became a communicant member of the Clarinda Reformed Presbyterian Church in 1953. Robert graduated from Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA, in 1957.
While attending Geneva, Robert met Shirley Ann Smith. They were married on July 29, 1955, in Beaver Falls. Robert attended Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh from 1957-1961, and he continued to serve the Reformed Presbyterian Church for the rest of his life. He was ordained by the Pacific Coast Presbytery, September 13, 1961, and was called to serve as a missionary pastor in Hot Springs, New Mexico, until 1964. Robert then pastored in Morning Sun, Iowa, from 1964-1967. During that time, he was the moderator of presbytery and led the youth as Young People’s Secretary. In the fall of 1967, Robert moved to Ohio to pastor the Belle Center congregation until 1974, during which time he was presbytery clerk and later moderator, Young People’s Secretary, and served on various committees. Robert moved to Sparta, Illinois, in 1975 to pastor the Sparta Reformed Presbyterian Church. The Sparta community became his home. He pastored the congregation until 1983 and then remained in that congregation as a ruling elder for nearly 30 years and served in the denomination in many ways. Robert owned R & S Auto Service with his sons, Sam, and Eric, and drove a school bus for Sparta schools.
Together Robert and Shirley raised four children, Mary Morrow, Samuel (Denise) Morrow, Eric Morrow, and Ruth Ann (Dwaine) Armentrout. He enjoyed traveling, camping, hunting, gardening, and spending time with his grandchildren.
Robert is survived by his children and by his grandchildren, Caleb, Levi, Cara, and Kate Armentrout, and Brenna, Devin, Steven, and Vanessa Morrow. Robert is also survived by his brothers and sisters as well as many nieces and nephews.
Robert was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Shirley. He talked about her often in these last years and looked forward to being with her in heaven with their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was also preceded in death by his brother David. Robert was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 pm on Friday, October 6, 2023, at Sparta Reformed Presbyterian Church, 605 N. Market Street, Sparta, Illinois 62286, with Pastor Ross Fearing officiating. Burial to follow at Hill Prairie Cemetery, Sparta, Illinois. Friends may visit the family at the church on Thursday from 5 to 8 pm and on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the start of the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sparta Reformed Presbyterian Church or Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA, c/o Wilson's Funeral Home, PO Box 217, Steeleville, IL 62288. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wilson’s Funeral Home, Steeleville, Illinois.
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