George “Bobby” Langley, 78 of Rochester was surrounded by his loving family when he passed away at 6:47 a.m., March 23, 2019, at his home.

George “Bobby” Langley

On Dec. 30, 1940, Langley was born in Grayson County, Kentucky. he was a treasured son of Jess Anthony and Mattie Mae Fulkerson Langley. Growing up as the second youngest of the eight Langley children he shared his childhood with two sisters and five brothers.

In Vine Grove, Kentucky at the St. Bridgett’s Church, on Nov. 7, 1959, he married the love of his life, Carolyn Lee Welch. They shared 59 years of life’s adventures. From their union came three wonderful children Cathy, Karen and Kenny. The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of two more generations.  

As an entrepreneur, Langley established the Langley Backhoe Service. He did custom dirt work for customers around north central Indiana. Sometimes he collaborated with his friend Larry “Bro” Hoagland. Many will remember him on his “hoe” helping the Rochester water and street departments. He could be seen aloft, attired in his signature white T-shirt and flat top haircut, waving and smiling at his friends as they drove by.

As the patriarch of the Langley family, Papaw Bobby was so very proud to oversee four generations. He shared his love and enthusiasm for heavy equipment with each of them, giving them special bucket rides on his backhoe, raising and lowering the bucket while rolling along. He looked forward to family gatherings for the holidays and special family celebrations where many memories were made. 

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Carolyn at home; two daughters Cathy Derf and Karen Collins and husband Kenny all of Rochester; a son Kenny Langley and wife Patty of South Bend; six grandchildren Kaleigh “Tinker Pot” Collins and companion Trevor Grosvenor, Kenzie “Lulu” Collins and companion Milan Baldwin, Masyn “Little Big Fella” Derf and companion Heather Shelpman, Eric Dennin, Kathleen Phegley and Anthony Phegley; three great-grandchildren Maddyx Derf, Lucy Derf and Gent Grosvenor; a brother Don Langley; and his beloved canine companion Chloe.

Preceding Langley in death are his parents Jess and Mattie Langley; two sisters Mary Alice Lindstrom, Kathleen Guest; and the four Langley brothers Bill, Jim, John and Kenny.

A celebration of the life of Langley will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 28, in the Good Family Funeral Home,1200 W. 18th St., Rochester. Pastor Larry Pyeatt will officiate. His family will receive friends on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. and an hour prior to services on Thursday. 

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to the Fulton County Animal Adoption and Education Center, 1540 Wentzel St., Rochester, IN, 46975, or Kindred Hospice 1476 W. 18th St., Rochester, IN, 46975. Online expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at www.goodfamilyfh.com