Robert B. Liles

Robert “Bob” Liles, age 90, was welcomed home to be with Jesus on the morning of March 22, 2026, around 8:00 a.m. at the Brethren Retirement Community in Greenville.

Bob was born into a large family on November 10, 1935. He was the son of the late Charles Phister and Sallie (Young) Liles. Bob had 8 siblings: Talmadge, Charles, June, Bud, Gayle, Lou, Donna, and Danny.

He spent his young years in Kentucky, where his grandma and grandpa had a small store for dry goods. During the war, he and his family lived in Cherryvale, Kansas, where some of his happiest memories were made as a boy. After the war, they returned to Dayton, Ohio. There, he got to be in Boy Scouts, play baseball, and sing “Old King Cole” in a play.

As an adult, Bob met Melia Hardwick. They married in 1959 and built a life together, raising four children, Jerry (Diane) Liles of Springboro, Ohio, John (Michelle) Liles of Huber Heights, Ohio, Sandra (Jason) Netzley of Arcanum, and Sherry (Matt) Adkins of Kettering, Ohio. Over the years, their family grew to include many grandchildren: Daniel, Ben (Elysha), and Caleb (Jen) Liles, Joshua (Jessica) Liles, and Lena, Sara, Luke, and Jared Netzley, and 5 great-grandchildren.

Bob had many jobs over the years, but one of his favorites was driving a school bus for children with disabilities. He loved playing with the kids in creative ways, including recording their own radio show just for fun. He was also an entrepreneur. He had many big ideas and never stopped trying. His most successful business was Health and Strength, an exercise equipment store his sons worked in alongside him.

Bob was also an artist and a welder. He gave his full attention to his children in deeply personal and creative ways, often devising new contraptions and playful inventions with each child or grandchild especially in mind.

His life was a picture of gentleness, patience, humility, and love. He taught his children how to be saved by Jesus, how to say, “I love you” and “I’m sorry,” how to keep trying again and again, and how to enjoy life and offer their gifts to others. He was often singing and laughing, and he had a beautiful voice. Even as he experienced dementia, he showed those around him how to face life with grace and faith, one day at a time, enjoying each moment as it came. In this too, he taught them how to age and how to die.

During his last year in the nursing home, he brought joy to those around him, and he often sang “You Are My Sunshine” to his caregivers. Their presence during that time was a precious gift to him and to his family.

On his last day on earth, his family gathered around him to tell stories, sing songs, look at pictures, and do handstands in honor of Bob, who could still do a handstand at the age of 82.

We trust and take comfort in the fact that he is with his Lord. Somehow, we still bask in his presence and his gentle, loving spirit.

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Tribute Funeral Homes, Greenville Campus, with Pastor Jeff Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Ithaca Cemetery.

Guests may visit with his family on Saturday from 12:00 PM until the start of the service at 2:00 PM at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.tributefuneralhomes.com.