Robert Edge

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Robert Dale Edge Sr, age 84, passed away at 1:45 am. Saturday, April 8, 2023 at Pittsburg Health and Rehab., Pittsburg, KS following an illness.

Robert was born February 15, 1939 in Chetopa, Kansas. His parents were John Fredrick Edge, Sr and Juanita Helen (Dunn) Edge. He had moved to Galena in 1989.

He lived most of his life in Joplin, MO. Education was class of 1957, Joplin High. He served from 1955-1958 in the 203rd 90mm Gun Antiaircraft Battalion for the Missouri Army National Guard as a Radio Man and expert marksman. He went on into the United States Eighth Army Reserves, St. Louis, for the next six years until his honorable discharge. 

Robert was a machinist and worked as a foreman at Bagcraft, Joplin for 20 years. He later worked at NAPCO in Springdale, AR. 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, Oswego, Kansas - participating in reenactments where he would trade his crafts and share his skills. Robert enjoyed performing demonstrations to groups like the Boy Scouts, local SEK schools and Franciscans Community Center Camp at 5 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, Joplin. MO.

He was married to Mary Rebecca Thurman who preceded him in death, to this union their five children were born. Surviving are Robert Edge, Jr. of Joplin, Linda Owens of Webb City, Thomas Edge (Vickie Wieberg) of Jefferson City, MO, Sara Edge (Jeff Points) of Grove, OK, and Kenneth Edge of Galena; one brother Jim Edge of Joplin, MO; 4 grandchildren, Molly Edge, Dayton (Ronnie) Von Hemel, Kevin Owens and Kelli Leavens; 7 great-grandchildren; and his significant other, Juanita Fasse, Joplin.

He was also preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, John Edge and Bill Edge, one sister, Virginia Bailey, and two grandsons, Steven Owens and Zachary Thomas Edge.

Graveside services will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, April 15, 2023 at St Rose Cemetery, Chetopa, KS. Pastor Randy Frazier will officiate.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 7:00 pm, Friday, April 14, 2023 at Derfelt Funeral Home, Galena, KS.