Robert Dale Edge Sr, 84, of Galena, died at 1:45 a.m. Saturday, April 8, 2023 at Pittsburg Health and Rehab., in Pittsburg following an illness. Born February 15, 1939 in Chetopa, Robert was the son of John Fredrick Edge, Sr. and Juanita Helen (Dunn) Edge. They preceded him in death. Robert was also preceded in death by his wife Mary, two brothers, John Edge and Bill Edge, one sister, Virginia Bailey, and two grandsons, Steven Owens and Zachary Thomas Edge.
Robert moved to Galena in 1989. He lived most of his life in Joplin, Mo. He was a graduate of Joplin, High School with the class of 1957. He served from 1955 to 1958 in the 203rd 90mm Gun Antiaircraft Battalion for the Missouri Army National Guard as a Radio Man and expert marksman. Robert went into the United States Eighth Army Reserves, in St. Louis, Mo. for the next six years until his honorable discharge.
Robert was a machinist and worked as a foreman at Bagcraft, in Joplin, Mo. for 20 years. He later worked at NAPCO in Springdale, Ark. He began knife smithing in the 1970’s and owned and operated Edge Knives in Galena, working until his illness. As a master knife-smith he had made over 10,000 knives in his career. He enjoyed membership in several Mountain Man Rendezvous clubs, including Black dog rendezvous, in Oswego participating in reenactments where he would trade his crafts and share his skills. Robert enjoyed performing demonstrations to groups like the Boy Scouts, local Southeast Kansas schools and Franciscans Community Center Camp at Five Mile Creek teaching them skills like leatherwork, cannon firing, antler carving, arrowhead hunting and knapping, tomahawk throwing and never forgetting to share great stories and humor. He was a faithful member of Forest Park Baptist Church in Joplin. Mo.
Robert was married to Mary Rebecca Thurman who preceded him in death. To this union their five children were born.
Robert is survived by his children: Kenneth Edge of Galena ; Robert Edge, Jr. of Joplin, Mo.; Linda Owens of Webb City, Mo.; Thomas Edge (Vickie Wieberg) of Jefferson City, Mo.; and Sara Edge (Jeff Points) of Grove, Okla. His brother Jim Edge of Joplin, Mo.; four grandchildren, Molly Edge, Dayton (Ronnie) Von Hemel, Kevin Owens and Kelli Leavens; seven great-grandchildren; and his significant other and Juanita Fasse, of Joplin, Mo. also survive.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, April 14 at Derfelt Funeral Home, in Galena, Graveside services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 15 at St Rose Cemetery, in Chetopa. Pastor Randy Frazier will officiate.