Robert Louis Gatlin, age 89 of Benton, KY passed away Thursday, February 2, 2017. Bob was born in Oak Level, KY on May 22, 1927. He was the son of Jack and Faye Swift Gatlin. He attended Benton High School and at the age of 17 he joined the US Army Air Corps. He served in WWII during the occupation of Germany and was stationed in Munich. He attended Murray State University. He worked in Peoria, IL and Detroit, MI before locating to Louisville, KY. He worked at Reynolds Metal Company for many years before moving back home to Oak Level. He retired from Pennwalt Corporation and was a cattle farmer for over 50 years.
He was a member of Oak Level United Methodist Church. He fought in Golden Gloves tournaments, received Master Conservationist Award, and served as president on the Marshall County Farm Bureau Board. He was honored with the title of Kentucky Colonel.
While living in Louisville he met the love of his life, his wife of 57 years, Jane Ann Holsclaw. Also surviving are his daughters Dr. Deborah Gatlin Raulston (Dr. Gilbert Raulston) of Nashville, TN and Pamela Sirls (Mickey Sirls) of Benton, KY. His grandchildren, Lauren Elizabeth Sirls, student at Western Kentucky University, Robert Warner Raulston, student at Rhodes College, and Evangeline Gatlin Raulston. His sisters, Ann Connor, Lexington, KY, June Leneave, Benton, KY and Joan King, Orange, CA, and his brother Henry Gatlin, Huntsville, AL.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Elizabeth Tolbert and his brothers Frank Gatlin, Jack Gatlin, John Gatlin and David Gatlin.
Funeral service will be held on Sunday, February 5, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of the Collier Funeral Home, 211 West 5th St., Benton, KY 42025, Rev. Ronnie Lear officiating.
Burial will follow in the Benton Cemetery, Benton, KY.
Visitation will be held between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 5, 2017 at Collier Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be given to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.
