Robert M. Ahearn

87, Indianapolis, passed away peacefully from complications of heart disease, November 24, 2010. His wife of 60 years, Margaret, called him �Rob� or �Robert� but the rest of the family and his friends knew him as �Bob�. He was born in East St. Louis, and grew up in the Belleville, IL, and St. Louis, MO, area. Bob began his career in the St. Louis office of the The Pennsylvania Railroad in 1940 and spent his entire career in the railroad industry, retiring from the Indianapolis office of ConRail in 1986 as Area Director for Marketing and Industrial Development. He worked in management, sales, and operations, but his professional passion was economic development. He spent considerable effort and skill working with the State of Indiana, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, the Indiana Area Development Council and numerous local economic development organizations and businesses to bring business to Indiana and create jobs. He was made a Sagamore of the Wabash by Indiana Governor Robert Orr. Bob had a deep, devout and lifelong faith. He was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church at Geist. Bob had previously been a 31 year member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Indianapolis where he served on the parish council and in many other ministries. He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, and participated in prayer groups and Bible studies. Bob enjoyed playing bridge, cooking, watching the Colts, and spending time with family and friends. He was devoted to his wife, sons, and seven grandsons. He had a great sense of humor combined with a heart for service. Visitation will be Sunday, November 28, from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Shirley Brothers Fishers-Castleton Chapel, 9900 Allisonville Rd. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, November 29, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit at Geist Catholic Church, 10350 Glaser Way, Fishers, with visitation there from 10:00 a.m. until the time of mass. Robert is survived by his wife, Margaret �Marge� Carl Ahearn; sons, Mark (Beth), David (Kathy), and Kevin (Margi) Ahearn; grandsons, Christopher, John (Anna), Brian, Eric, Michael, Tom and Scott Ahearn; sister-in-law, Jeanne (Wayne) Huneke, of Belleair Bluffs, Florida. Thanks to the physicians, nurses, and hospice care staff of the Indiana Heart Hospital at Community North. Memorial contributions may be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 3001 E. 30th St., Indianapolis, 46218.

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Robert M. Ahearn

November 15, 1923 - November 24, 2010