Robert B. Histed Sr., 91, of 925 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland, FL died Friday, June 6, 2014 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Maumee, after suffering congestive heart failure.
Bob was born in Detroit, MI on May 3, 1923 to the late Clayton and Ethel (Stinehelfer) Histed, Sr. He eloped to marry Carole M. Mayer on August 2, 1950 and she survives him.
Bob lived most of his life in Crestline, Ohio, but the last 30 years in Florida. He graduated from Crestline High School as part of the class of 1941. Bob was the last surviving member of the 1939 Crestline State Championship Football Team. Bob went on to serve his country in the United States Army and was a veteran of WWII, serving in the European Theatre. As part of the Army Transportation Corps, he ran trains transporting munitions, U.S. troops and prisoners of war. Following the war, he began a career on the Pennsylvania Railroad, as well as Penn Central and Conrail, for 43 years, retiring as Engineer in June 1982. As a young man, he was elected to the Crestline Village Council and was instrumental in building a new modern swimming pool, even though he himself did not know how to swim. Bob was a pioneer in the discount retail store business, preceding even Sam Walton. He and Carole owned and operated the Family Value Center in Crestline from 1959 to 1973 on the property where the Mark A. Schneider Funeral Home currently sits.
In 1984, after retiring from the railroad, he and his wife, Carole moved to Lakeland, Florida, although they often visited family in Ohio. He spent from 1985 to 2014 in assisting his son, Bill in the operation of The Mulberry Press in Mulberry, Florida. He took most of the town’s pictures for 30 years. Having lived there for nearly a third of his life, Lakeland became a second home. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Lakeland where he was past president of the Home Builder’s Sunday School Class, was a member of the Masonic funeral team, past president of Lakeland Chapter Sons of the American Revolution, and was the judge for two years for the Lakeland Christmas Parade.
Bob remained ever a part of Crestline. He maintained his membership at the First United Methodist Church, Crestline where he had served on numerous church boards. He was a Lifetime member of the American Legion in Crestline, 60 year member of the Ohio AAA Auto Club, former member of the Crestline Historical Society and Crestline Kiwanis Club.
Bob’s membership in the Masonic Lodge was an important part of who he was. He was a member for over 60 years. His memberships included: Lakeland Lodge #91 of the F&AM, Lakeland/Winter Haven Commandery #21 Knights Templar, Baku Grotto, Mansfield, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Columbus, Space Coast Council #32, The Royal Order of Scotland, Lakeland/Winter Haven Polk Council #11 Royal and Select Masons, Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Ohio Chapter 142, York Rite College #62, Miami Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine, 32 Degree Member Scottish Rite Valley of Tampa, and Lakeland Chapter #29 Royal Arch Masons. Bob was Past Master of the Lakeland Lodge #91, serving in 1990 and was head of all York Rite bodies in Lakeland and was made a Knight of the York Cross of Honor. Bob’s Masonic life included his membership in the Order of the Eastern Star where he had served as Worthy Patron four times in Crestline and once in Lakeland.
In addition to his wife, Carole, he is survived by his four sons and one daughter, Robert “Bob” and Lucinda Histed, Jr. of Boise, ID, Bill Histed of Mulberry, FL, and Brad and Janet Histed of Reynoldsburg, Brenda and Martin Searle of Maumee, Bruce and Nancy Histed of Maumee; ten grandchildren, Stephen, Katie, Alex, David and Patty, Thomas, Matthew, Craig, Scott, Noah Histed, and Coleman Dyer; one great-grandson, Owen Bradley Histed, and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Denise (Keller) Histed; his sister, Virginia Histed Howe; and his brother, Clayton A. Histed, Jr.
Friends may call Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at the Mark A. Schneider Funeral Home, Crestline. The Order of the Eastern Star service will be held at the funeral home at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Masonic Services will be held at the funeral home at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 11, 2014 at First United Methodist Church, Crestline, with Pastor Becky Weamer officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery, Crestline with full military honors provided by the U.S. Army and the Crestline/Galion Area Veteran’s Organizations.
Memorial contributions may be made to Crestline Athletic Boosters in care of the funeral home.
Online condolences may be made to the family at masfh.com
