Robert "Bob" M. Bailey

Robert M. “Bob” Bailey 84, Rochester, Indiana, passed away at 8:34 P.M., Sunday, November 30, 2025 at his residence with family by his side.

He was born August 5, 1941 in Greencastle, Indiana, the son of Byron “Beanie” and Edna (Martin) Bailey. Bob was a 1959 graduate of Rochester High School.

Bob was well known as the co-owner and operator of Bailey’s Hardware in downtown Rochester, a business he and his brother David proudly carried on after acquiring it from their father. He spent his entire career at the hardware store, retiring in 2006 after many years of operating this beloved downtown landmark.

Bob was also a Volunteer Fireman and a First Responder on the Rochester Fire Department for forty years, logging a record number of hours. He is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge and had been a member of the Fulton County Coon Hunters club. He enjoyed time with his family and had a lifelong love of hunting, fishing, trapping, and all things related to nature and conservation. Bob also loved to carve duck decoys. Through his studies and research, he carved every duck species that had ever landed on Lake Manitou, before turning to carving his “Daphne” line of pink decoys and gifting them to kids far and wide. Bob also enjoyed bottle hunting in Lake Manitou. Over the years he and his friends found many old bottles along the speak-easy shores of Lake Manitou.

Survivors include his daughters, Kim Harshman, Claypool, Indiana; Karin (Chuck) Fowler, Rochester, Indiana; Barb (Terry) Heisler, Claypool, Indiana; son, Byron “Rob” (Stacy) Bailey II, Greeley, Colorado; grandchildren, Ryan (Shawna) Harshman, Silver Lake, Indiana; Phillip (Judy) Harshman of Akron, Indiana; Haley Harshman, Claypool, Indiana; Dustin (Sara) Fowler, Rochester, Indiana; Ryan (Brooke) Heisler, Argos, Indiana; Shea (Scott) Frederickson, Mishawaka, Indiana; Terra (Josh Overmyer) Heisler, Rochester, Indiana; Bobby Bailey and Harper Bailey, Greeley, Colorado, and nineteen great grandchildren, sister, Susan (Edward) Kelley, Rochester, Indiana, brother, David M. Bailey, Rochester, Indiana and several nieces and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Catherin Bailey and a granddaughter, Caitlin Heisler.

A memorial service will be held at 5:00 P.M. Monday, December 29, 2025 at Zimmerman Bros. Funeral Home, Rochester, Indiana. Friends may visit from 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. on Monday, December 29, 2025 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospital. Online condolences may be expressed at www.zimmermanbrosfh.com

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