Robert B. Haywood, 78, of Warsaw, Ind., passed away at 6:10 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2014, at Grace Village Health Care of Winona Lake, Ind.

Robert served in the United States Marine Corps from October 1958 until his honorable discharge in September 1962, and remained in the reserves until Sept. 30, 1964. He had worked for Dalton Foundries in Warsaw for 36 years as a journeyman mechanic, retiring in 2001.

In the early 1970’s, Bob played banjo for the Full Gospel Singers, singing in many churches in the South and Midwest. He pastored the United Baptist Church in Tippecanoe, Ind., from 1987until the mid 1990’s when he started Harvest Time Ministries in Warsaw, and served the church faithfully until his recent illness.

He was born Sept. 19, 1935, in Dock, Ky., to Willie Haywood and Cassie Mae (Justice) Haywood Shepherd. On Aug. 28, 1959, he was married to Christenna (Reffitt) Haywood, who survives in Warsaw.

Also surviving are two sons: Robert M. (Annie) Haywood, Warsaw; Amos W. Haywood, Roann, Ind.; Emilie “Ami” (David) Pitt, Warsaw, Ind.; 11 grandchildren: April, Caleb, Meghan, Christiann and Emma Haywood; Julia Skye (Nick) Eaton; Canaan William Haywood; Kyle Cosner; Sarah (Aaron) Baier; Rissa and Carolyn Pitt; and two great-grandsons; his mother: Cassie Mae (Justice) Haywood Shepherd, Warsaw; mother-in-law: Emma Reffitt, Warsaw; three brothers: Burl (Lana) Haywood, Bill (Virginia) Haywood and Joe (Sandy) Haywood, all of Warsaw; and four sisters: Rebecca (Clyde) Arnett, Claypool, Ind.; Virginia (Alvin) Rockhill, Goshen, Ind.; Judy (Jim) Brumbaugh, Milford, Ind.; and Fannie (Dan) Widaman, Warsaw.

He was preceded in death by his father, two grandchildren, and a brother: Johnnie Haywood.

Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, May 23, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Rd., Warsaw. His funeral service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 24, at the funeral home and officiated by Pastor Terry Bradford. Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw with military rites conducted by the American Legion Post #49, and V.F.W. #1126 both of Warsaw, and the Indiana ARNG Honor Guard.

Online condolences may be sent through the Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home website.