Sturtevant – Robert Edward Mears, age 82, passed away on March 29, 2024, at Aurora Medical Center in Mount Pleasant. He was born in Racine on August 14, 1941, to parents Walter and Tena (nee. VanDyke) Mears. Bob attended grade school in a one room schoolhouse in Sylvania. He went on to attend Rochester Agriculture High School before graduating from Union Grove High School in 1960. There he met the love of his life, Grace Asmann, and they were married on February 9, 1964. Bob worked as a telephone repairman for AT&T for 30 years, but retired to pursue his true passion, vegetable farming. Bob and Grace became the market managers for the Racine Farmers Markets for 25 years. Bob also loved going fishing, especially ice fishing.

Bob is survived by his devoted wife, Grace; children, Rebecca (Brian) Cole and Elizabeth (Gregg) Hansmann; grandchildren, Vyvyan (Robert) Frieberg, Clara Cole, Peter Cole, Sam Hansmann, and Max Hansmann, as well as many nieces and nephews. Well known for his 4th of July and Halloween parties, he was a loving husband, father, uncle, and true friend.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Nancy Rothering. He was well loved and will be dearly missed, but the stories of his life and his antics will carry on.

A visitation will be held on April 6th, 2024, from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, at Yorkville Methodist Church, with a service that will begin at 12:00. There will be a luncheon to follow. Private inurnment will take place at Graceland Cemetery on a later date. In lieu of flowers, we would ask contributions to be made to the FFA Program of Union Grove High School, in memory of Bob's love of farming.