Robert L. Madon

Mr. Robert L. Madon, age 83, of Pineville, Kentucky entered into rest on January 28, 2018 at the Eastern Kentucky Veterans Center. Robert, lovingly known as Bob and Bobby throughout his life and renowned throughout the region for his lifelong passion, efforts, and dedication toward the prosperity of his hometown, was born November 21, 1935 to the late James Robert Madon and Ada Lee Bush Smith. He graduated from Pineville High School in 1953 and attended Millersburg Military Institute, becoming a veteran of the U.S. Air Force in the Korean conflict. He also attended Eastern Kentucky University, Union and Cumberland Colleges. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Pineville, sang in the church choir and served as Associate Sunday School Superintendent. Bob deeply loved Pineville and spent his life sincerely involved in the town as well as all of Bell County. He was president of the Pineville Jaycees; a charter member of the Pineville Athletic Boosters Club; and a member of the Bennett Asher, Post 10 American Legion and the Dewey Guy, Post 14 in Pineville and Middlesboro. His public service role extended beyond Pineville Mayoral duties as he served as President of the Kentucky League of Cities and as a KLC director from 1979 to 2008. Maintaining professional roles that allowed him to be a voice for his community, he spent over a decade as General Manager of the Pineville Sun-Cumberland Courier and General Manager of WANO Radio. He later managed the Cumberland Trading Post, WFXY Radio and WXJB Radio. Bob loved sports and after becoming the voice of the Pineville Mountain Lions he later became a KHSAA basketball official who officiated many games and state tournaments for both boys and girls basketball. His political career began in 1968 when newly elected Republican Governor Louie B. Nunn asked him to come to Frankfort to serve as his Administrative Assistant. In 1971, he was named to the Pineville City Council to fill a vacancy and served until 1974. In 1974, he was named City Judge and served until he was elected Mayor in 1977. Bob was responsible for many improvements to the city and served on the Flood Related Projects Committee following the devastating flood of April 4, 1977. He procured millions of dollars after the flood that assisted in the construction of the floodwall and the US 25E Bypass around Pineville that now bears his name. In true Pineville tradition, Bob spent his life greatly involved with the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival. He was General Chairman in 1966 and General Co-Chairman in 1973. He served as Emcee for the Princess and Queens Pageants for many years and on the Advisory Board from 1967-1972. Bob held much pride for his 1995 KMLF Hall of Fame, 1999 Outstanding Service and 2005 Lifetime Honorary Director awards. He was preceded in death by great grandparents, Nathan and Claudia Hendrickson Madon, and Fred and Phoebe Howard Bush; his father, James R. "Bob' (Theda Campbell) Madon; mother, Ada Lee Bush Joe C.) Smith and brothers, Joe Thomas and Howard Vernon Smith. He is survived by many children, daughter, Renee Howard, son Lloyd Oslonian, daughter, Celia Lee (Freddie) Hunter, son,Scott (Elizabeth) Madon, and son Brent (Jacinda) Madon; former spouse and lifetime friend Kaye Madon; Grandchildren, Bobbi Collett, Jacob Oslonian, Whitney (Tyler) Wilson, Kelsey Oslonian, Sydney Smith, Nicholas Oslonian, Justin Hunter, Kayla (Tony) Messer, Ben Madon, Ashley (Brad) Sizemore and Shawn Madon; great grandchildren Kennedy Carter, Tatum Oslonian, Harlan Wilson, Makenna Messer, Mallory Messer, Maddie Madon, and Braxton Sizemore; brother and sisters, Jane Harper, James R. 'Biff' (Sharon) Madon and Ann 'Kaki' (Charlie) Smith; sister-in-law, Vicky Smith; as well as a host of other beloved family and friends. Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 with friends being received from 4:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Pineville. A Celebration of Life will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the First Baptist Church in Pineville, KY. Funeral Procession through downtown Pineville will begin at Virginia Avenue on Thursday, February 1, 2018 at 10:45 a.m. with graveside service to follow at 11:00 a.m. at Pineville Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ben Madon, Shawn Madon, Jacob Oslonian, Tony Messer, Brad Sizemore, Rob Madon, Allen Smith, Justin Hunter and Jerry Harper. Honorary Pallbearers will be Wayne Bishop, Harry Bush, Howard Bush, Don Collett, Charles Evans, Wayne Farris, Shirley Goodin, J.C. Helton and EKVC Faculty and Staff. In Lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Vets serving Vets, PO Box 72, Middlesboro, KY 40965 or First Baptist Church, 405 W Kentucky Avenue, Pineville, KY 40977. Bob's legacy is richly interwoven in all that is Pineville, and his spirit endures with family, friends, and in every progression and proud tradition as we continue to rise, just as he faithfully believed and foretold. Arnett & Steele Funeral Home and Cremation Center is honored to serve the Madon Family. Cemetery Details Pineville Memorial Cemetery Pineville, KY 40977 Celebration of Life

JAN 31. 7:00 PM (EST)

First Baptist Church

405 Kentucky Ave.

Pineville, KY 40977

JAN 31. 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM (EST)

First Baptist Church

405 Kentucky Ave.

Pineville, KY 40977