Robert G. Amsden

Robert G. Amsden, 78, of Shipshewana, died Tuesday evening, March 31, 2009, at Avalon Village in Ligonier. He was born in Elkhart County on July 23, 1930, to Carl and Etta (Metzger) Amsden.  He married Elizabeth Miller on August 15, 1959.  She died on June 23, 1973. A lifetime resident of the Goshen area, Mr. Amsden worked as a fabricator at Smokercraft and as a tool and die press operator and boat builder at Starcraft.  He retired in 2002 from Marque where he built ambulances. A 1949 graduate of Goshen High School, Mr. Amsden served with the US Air Force during the Korean War from 1950 to 1954.  He was a member of the DAV. He is survived by two sons, Robert Amsden, Jr. and Jeff Amsden, both of Shipshewana; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three sisters, Karletta Skaggs of Goshen, Helen Games of Ellenton, Florida, and Martha Phillips of Compton, North Carolina; and three brothers, Jack Amsden of Goshen, Ronald Amsden of Lake Tahoe, California, and Jim Amsden of Missouri. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth; two daughters, Shelia Denise Amsden in 1965 and Debbie Clayton in 199; two sisters, Mariam Fryer and Betty Boone and four brothers, Carl Daniel, Russell, Richard and Billy Amsden. Friends may call 10 to 11 a.m., Friday, April 3, 2009, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home where an 11:00 a.m. funeral service will be conducted.  Assistant Chaplain John Piecuch of the veterans’ organizations will officiate. Burial will be in Oakridge Cemetery, Goshen. Memorial contributions may be given to the Goshen DAV.