As it will appear in the Port Charlotte, FL newspaper tomorrow:

REV. DR. ROBERT "BOB" M. MARING, 83, of Port Charlotte, Florida died Friday, April 1, 2005 at Peace River Regional Medical Center, Port Charlotte.

He was born March 13, 1922 in Huntington, West Virginia to Robert L. Maring and Hazel Caldwell Maring and moved to Port Charlotte in 1987 from Charleston, West Virginia. He was a graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College where he received his B.A. degree. He received his Masters of Divinity Degree from Asbury Theological Seminary and his M.A. degree in World Missions at the Graduate School of Drew University. Dr. Maring completed study programs at West Virginia University, the Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania, and the Perkins School of Theology. He earned his Doctor of Ministry degree at the Theological School of Drew University.

He was an ordained minister of the United Methodist Church and has served as minister in Kentucky, New York, West Virginia and Pakistan. For thirteen years he and his wife, Evelyn served as missionaries of the World Division of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries in the Methodist Church of Pakistan. He served either as a pastor or district superintendent from 1946 until 1987 when he retired from the West Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church.

As a minister in the church, Bob, as he is know by his friends, has been Annual Conference Secretary and has been chairperson of various annual conference boards and committees. He was a world traveler, a student of the world religions, and international relations. Since retiring he was active in the Port Charlotte United Methodist Men's Fellowship and served as Co-chairperson of Evangelism and Missions Committee. He is a veteran of World War II, U.S. Army. Member and former Vice President of the Charlotte County Veterans Council, member and Chaplain for the local and State China-¬Burma-India Veterans Assn. and member and former Vice President of the Port Charlotte Lions Club.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Rev. Evelyn L. Maring of Port Charlotte; a daughter, Karen (Lee) Rousselle of Buffalo, NY; two grandchildren, Allan (Paulette) Rousselle and Sandra (Michael) Hanagan; 3 great grandchildren, Alexander Rousselle, Devon and Sierra Hanagan; and 14 nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Helen Capehart.

Memorial services will be held Wednesday 3:00 PM, April 6, 2005 at the Port Charlotte United Methodist Church. Rev. James R. Kuse will officiate with military honors by the U.S. Army. Inurnment will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens, Port Charlotte.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mission Fund of the Port Charlotte United Methodist Church, 21075 Quesada Ave., Port Charlotte, FL 33952. . Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory Port Charlotte Chapel.