Services for Robert Eugene Bland, 95, of Vandalia, will be held at 3 P.M. Tuesday, December 1, at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center in Vandalia with Rev. Brian Lehenbauer and Rev. Bob Hoehn officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 1 P.M. until the time of services at the church. Masonic Services will be provided by Masonic Lodge #491.

Family requests that masks be worn and social distancing be observed. Arrangements are under the direction of Bienhoff Funeral Home.

Mr. Bland passed away at 12:10 a.m. November 27, at Tri-County Care Center. He was born March 6, 1925 in Vandalia, the son of William Aubrey and Lucy Roberta Harris Bland.

He married Alta May Pettey in Eolia on January 28, 1945 and they were inseparable for over 75 years receiving a Proclamation from the President of the United Sates as well as state Representatives acknowledging their historic milestone.

Survivors include: his wife Alta of Vandalia, two sons, Steve (Beverly) Bland of Hannibal and Dale (Cheryl) Bland of Camdenton; one daughter, Joy (Terry) Hoyt of Laddonia; one sister, Patsy Clithero of Vandalia; seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Jo Beshears and Betty Lou Miller Eakins.

Mr. Bland was a lifetime area resident and member of the Vandalia First Baptist Church. He was a 1943 graduate of Middletown High School. Mr. Bland farmed before he and his wife purchased the Vandalia Dairy Queen which they operated for 13 years. He was the Eastern District Commissioner for Audrain County for 10 years, and worked as a real estate agent for 10 years. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, a 50 year master mason of the Vandalia Masonic Lodge #491, Scottish Rite, Shriners and Eastern Star. He was a 4-H project leader for 30 years and taught Sunday School for 13 years. He enjoyed gardening and feeding the squirrels.

Pallbearers will be Brent Bland, Shawn Bland, Travis Dixon, Jaron Vail, Andrew Hendren, and Cyrus Bland. Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of the First Baptist Church of Vandalia and members of Masonic Lodge #491. G

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