Robert Bine Firth

Robert Bine Firth, 91, of Versailles passed away a 7:50 p.m., Sunday, March 31, 2019 at Highpoint Health in Lawrenceburg. He was born at Versailles on December 18, 1927, the son of Robert and Lena Kemker Firth. He was married to Ruby Fletcher on May 20, 1950 and she preceded him in death on November 27, 2011. 

Survivors include two daughters Terri (Al) Turchan of Bridgeville, Delaware, and Mindy (Steve) Lauber of Dillsboro; four grandsons Nate Kingery of Morgantown, West Virginia, Nick (Tamara) Kingery of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Alec and Drew Lauber both of Dillsboro; one step granddaughter Rochelle Turchan; three great grandchildren Emania, Zachary, and Kirsi Kingery; one sister Tlena Sheets of Kokomo. He was also preceded in death by his parents, and his sisters Myrtle Smith and Mary Ann Strubbe. 

Mr. Firth was a 1946 graduate of Versailles High School. After high school he served in the US Army for one year as a Medical Aideman. Bine worked for 30 years at the Jefferson Proving Ground in the motor pool and also as an ammunition tester. Those who knew Bine knew his passion for the outdoors, collecting guns and knives, gardening, and his grandchildren. He was known to many in Versailles as simply the “Tomato Man” which was just fine with him. Bine was a member of the Versailles American Legion. 

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 6 at 11 a.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with Rev. Ty Choate of the Hopewell Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in the Cliff Hill Cemetery in Versailles with military graveside rites by the Versailles American Legion. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Memorials may be given to the Cliff Hill Cemetery in care of the funeral home.