Life story Robert "Bob" A. Ems, age 71, of Madison, Indiana, passed away on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at Swiss Villa Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Vevay, Indiana. Born July 16, 1947 in New Albany, Indiana, he was the son of Harold and Gertrude Steger Ems. Mr. Ems received a Bachelor of Science degree in telecommunications from Indiana State University, a master's degree in education from Indiana University Bloomington, and a master's degree in education with an emphasis in journalism from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. His last employment began in 2003 as an advertising consultant for WIKI radio in Madison. Prior to that, he worked in advertising for The Madison Courier for five years. He was an instructor of communication for fourteen years at Marion University in Indianapolis, while also serving at the IU extension campus in Kokomo, Indiana. He was an instructor of communication in radio, television and speech at Hanover College from 1984-1989, and was an associate instructor of telecommunications at IU Bloomington. Earlier in his career, he worked as an advertising consultant for the New Albany, Indiana Tribune, was a Realtor for Bass & Weisberg in New Albany. He also served as an associate pastor and education director for the First Baptist Church in Sellersburg, Indiana, where he earned a Certificate of Ordination in 1975. He worked as a newspaper reporter for the Charlestown Courier and Sellersburg News, was a teacher and media consultant for the Jefferson County Board of Education in Louisville, Kentucky, and news editor and announcer for WBOW radio in Terre Haute, Indiana. He was a former member of the American Baptist Association, tour guide for the Lanier Mansion tours, and past president of the Madison Main Street Program. Mr. Ems was an avid reader, enjoyed television, and working in stained glass, having taken a course in stained glass in Muncie, Indiana. On December 28, 2001, he was united in marriage to Elinor Howard Smith in Carrollton, Kentucky. He will be sadly missed by his wife; one step-daughter, Beth McKay of Muncie, and one step-son, Eric McKay of Madison. He was preceded in death by his parents and one half-brother, John W. Lee. A memorial gathering will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 PM Saturday, October 6, 2018 at Lytle Welty Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, Main Street Chapel, 423 West Main Street, in downtown Madison. The family requests memorial contributions be made to Hanover College or the Madison-Jefferson County Animal Shelter. Contributions may be made at any of the Lytle Welty Funeral Homes & Cremation Service locations. Visitation DetailsSaturday October 6, 2018 1:00pm - 3:00pm, Lytle Welty Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, Main Street ChapelService InformationLytle Welty Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, Main Street Chapel To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert A. "Bob" Ems, please visit our floral store.