Edward Ray Robeson, 80, of Queen City, Missouri, passed away Sunday (May 13, 2012) at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville.

The son of Harold Dean and Mable Alice (Prim) Robeson, he was born November 2, 1931 in LaBelle, Missouri. On March 9, 1952 in Kirksville, Missouri, Edward was united in marriage to Ellen Mae Howes.

Edward is survived by his wife Ellen of sixty years; two daughters, Mary Ellen Middleton and husband Charlie of Novinger, MO and Edna Rae Robeson of Kirksville, MO; one brother, Don Robeson and wife Mary of Quincy, IL; three sisters, Louise Wells of Quincy, IL, Georgia Lee Shields and husband Bill of Florida and Elsie Mae Wybrant of Kirksville, MO; five grandchildren, Jeremy Ray Middleton of Kirksville, MO, Brad Middleton and wife Mindy of Novinger, MO, Bonnie Lee Aldridge and husband, Shane of Queen City, MO, Michael Edward Robeson and wife Evelyn of Queen City, MO and Ashley Robeson of Queen City, MO, as well as ten great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Harry and Carl Robeson and one sister, Virginia Cary.

Edward was a graduate from Memphis High School with the Class of 1949. After graduating Edward worked with the neighborhood thrashing crew until going to work for Morrell in Ottumwa, Iowa where he was employed two years. He then owned a small farm near Gibbs, Missouri and later moved to Queen City, where he was engaged in farming. In 1965, Edward and Ellen built a Grade A Dairy Farm in Queen City, where they milked until 1981. In 1979 they bought his parents farm in Memphis, Missouri, where they farmed a number of years.

Edward was a very devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and will be sadly missed.

Edward enjoyed riding horses in trail rides and in parades when he was young and later in life spent his time woodworking, making many things, including wood houses, bird houses and horses for twelve years.

Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday (May 17, 2012) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Pastor Derek Miller officiating. Interment will follow the service on the family farm in rural Queen City, Missouri.

Family will receive friends on hour before the service on Thursday (May 17, 2012) in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Kasey Snider, Tony Potter, and his five grandchildren, Jeremy Middleton, Brad Middleton, Bonnie Aldridge, Michael Robeson and Ashley Robeson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Edward Robeson Memorial Fund. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.