Rev. Robert S. "Bob" Clendening, age 79, the Pastor of Grace Fellowship Assembly of God Church in Bloomington, went home to be with the Lord Friday evening at his residence after a long illness. Born December 9, 1938 in Bloomington, he was the son of William Strickland and Pauline (Zike) Clendening. Robert was ordained at Clear Creek Christian Church in 1977 and was a licensed minister with the Assembly of God Churches. He served in the Army National Guard (Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 150th Artillery) for six years.
He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Bonnie Jean (Condra) Clendening, of Bloomington; his son, Robert Charles (Robin) Clendening, of Avon, IN; his two daughters, Tamara Jean (Craig) Johnson, of Holly Springs, NC and Angela Sue (Rick) Finchum, of Pittsboro, IN; one brother, Gary (Linda) Clendening, of Ellettsville; one sister, Jackie Bowen, of Ellettsville and seven grandchildren, Meg, Hayden, Delayna, Caleb, Cassidy, Anthony and Jake.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents and four sisters, Barbara Lugar, Patricia Evans, Vivian Masters and Nancy Skirvin.
Known as "Pastor Bob" by most, and "Sonny" by many in his hometown of Ellettsville, Bob graduated from Ellettsville High School in 1957. He became a stone cutter, serving his apprenticeship at the Fagan Mill with his father-in-law Charles Condra, and worked several decades in numerous mills around Monroe and Lawrence counties. His stone work is included in structures such as the National Cathedral, The Holocaust Museum, the new Yankee Stadium, and a memorial bench inside Memorial Stadium at Indiana University. He was called into the ministry in the mid 1970s, and pastored at Maple Grove Christian Church, Guthrie Christian Church, Elnora Christian Church, and Grace Fellowship Assembly of God. Bob was also a lifelong fan of Indiana University football and basketball
The funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at the Bloomington Free Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Clear Creek Cemetery. Friends may visit the family at the Day & Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home; 4150 E. Third St. from 4:00 to 8:00 p. m. on Tuesday.
Online condolences may be given at www.DayDeremiahFrye.com
