Robert G. Earley

Robert Earley

89, of Lowell, Indiana, passed away on Monday, September 28, 2026.

Robert (Bob) was born and raised in Lake Village, Indiana, the son of Lewis and Betty Earley. He met the love of his life, Gay, when she was a teenager working as a soda jerk at a local pharmacy in Lowell. Their meeting began a nearly 69-year marriage filled with love, family, friendships, adventures, and countless stories. Gay preceded him in death in 2023.

Bob spent his career in real estate, working with Langen Realty and Century 21 before eventually opening and operating his own real estate office. He was a familiar face in the Lowell and Lake Village communities and enjoyed the people and relationships that came with his work.

Bob enjoyed giving back to the community through the Jaycees.  He also contributed his time and energy as an umpire and referee for youth sports in the area. He enjoyed being around young people and being part of the local sports community. He was well known at the ballpark; as an umpire, his voice would carry throughout the ballpark as he called a batter out - “Strike three, yer out!”

Bob and Gay moved to Texas in the 1980s, beginning a new chapter that became one of their greatest adventures. They traveled between Indiana and Texas buying and selling antiques, collectibles, and other memorabilia, frequently making the trip to Canton, Texas, for its famous monthly flea market ‘First Mondays’. During the winter months, they often traveled to South Texas and spent time with great friends.  Most of their other time in Texas was spent at the ranch of Bob’s brother Raymond and his wife, Shirley, in Cuthand Texas.  This was Bob’s little piece of heaven on earth!  As they traveled across the country, they never missed a chance to visit their Texas, Missouri and Virginia grandkids!

Bob loved telling stories about his Texas adventures, especially his time on Raymond's ranch. One story in particular—about being chased by turkeys—was told so many times that it became a favorite family story and a source of laughter for everyone who heard it.

Bob also enjoyed golf and spent many hours on the course at Lugene Links in Lake Village, owned by his sister Lucy’s family.  But some of his favorite times weren't necessarily spent on a golf course or traveling. They were spent simply sitting around a table talking with friends and family.

For years, Bob could be found each morning at Don's Restaurant in Lowell, enjoying coffee and conversation with local businessmen at what became known as the "round table." He continued that tradition with his brother Don, nephew Craig Earley and several other good friends who met every morning at McDonald's for coffee and conversation. During COVID, when they could no longer sit inside, they simply moved their morning gathering to the parking lot. They would pick up their coffee through the drive-through, park together, and continue their daily conversations while people passing by honked and waved. It became such a familiar sight that they even had their own sign that read - ‘Grandpa Lives Matter’!

Bob was an avid collector with a deep curiosity about history and the stories behind the things he found. Over the years, his collections grew to include coins, Civil War memorabilia, firearms, antiques, arrowheads, and artifacts connected to the history of Texas. He loved discovering an unusual piece and, even more, sharing what he knew about it with others.

His passion for collecting became a special way of connecting with his grandchildren. Bob was a natural storyteller and loved having an audience of children and grandchildren who would listen to his tales. Every Tuesday night, he and Gay would have dinner at his daughter Glenna and Dan Harper’s farm, often arriving with an artifact from one of his collections for a little “show and tell.” For his great grandchildren, those evenings were about much more than the objects themselves—they were opportunities to hear their great grandpa’s stories and learn about history through his eyes.

Robert is survived by his children, Pam (Paul) Stiener, Glenna (Dan) Harper, Lynn (John) Bronson, Chuck Earley, and Jim (Ellen) Earley; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Donald Earley of Lowell, sister Jackie (Mal) Dunfee of Lake Village, and sister-in-law Shirley Earley.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Gay Earley; daughter-in-law, Kendra Earley; grandson, Blake Stiener; and siblings, Lucille (Gene) Berry and Raymond Earley.

Bob will be remembered most for his love of family, his friendships, his stories, and his ability to find enjoyment in the simple routines of everyday life. Whether sitting around a coffee table in Lowell, searching for treasures at a Texas flea market, playing a round of golf, or telling one of his favorite stories, Bob had a way of making ordinary moments memorable.

Private Burial will take place in West Creek Cemetery.  Sheets Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Lowell is entrusted with his care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions made to Sprout Center, PO Box 8 Aldie, VA 20105 or made online at Sprout's Website, or to Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church 6101 Morriss Road, Flower Mound, TX 75028 for youth mission trips  Trietsch Youth Mission Trips

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