Roberta E. Bull

Circleville, NY

Roberta E. Bull was born April 4, 1931 in Brooklyn NY to Robert A and Edna Anderson Johnston.  She passed away at the age of 95, on April 30, 2026 at Middletown Park Rehabilitation Center.

At the age of one and a half, the family moved to Circleville NY where her father bought a farm.  Roberta enjoyed the farm life.  She attended the Mt. Johnson School for 8 years and graduated from Middletown High School in 1948.  Following graduation, she worked at Horton Hospital as a nurse’s aide.  She later went to work at Avon, and also in Miss Swank Dress Co.

Growing up, her parents were 4 H leaders and Roberta became a 4 H leader herself, teaching cooking and sewing, a position she held for over 40 years  

In 1949, she married and had 2 children, William and Donna Burger.  In 1952, her parents sold the farm and she and the 2 children moved with her parents to Bloomingburg.  Roberta got a job in a local diner and also at a bowling establishment.  She joined a bowling league in 1954; caring for her two children and bowling became a large part of her life.  In 1955, she went to work in the service department of Sears & Roebuck in downtown Middletown.

In 1959, Roberta married Floyd L. Bull and they moved to Circleville.  Together they traveled in their camper throughout the United States and Canada.  Both enjoyed Country and Western music, bowling and square dancing.  In 1960, they had their first child, a daughter, Carol Jean and in 1962, a son Kenneth.

Roberta was a life member of the Sarah Wells Girl Scouts and she and Floyd were advisors of the Hudson Delaware Boy Scouts, and members of the 2nd Air Force Heritage.

In 1965, Roberta went to work for the Pine Bush School District and was there for 27 years as a para professional. She worked part time for Tutor Time and Prime Time Nursery Schools as well as Robert Wilson CPA, upon her retirement from PBCSD.  She was an avid collector of owl figurines and light houses, as well as salt and pepper shakers.

Roberta bowled in various leagues several times a week and participated in local, state, and national tournaments during her life.  Finally giving up after 70 years due to her “legs not being as strong as used to be”.  She held various offices in all her leagues, was past director of the NYS 500 Club, Tri State WBA, past president of the Orange-Sullivan 500 Club and Tri-State Seniors.  In 2010, Roberta was inducted into the Tri-County NY USBC Bowling Hall of Fame for meritorious service.   She had also participated in over 25 annual NYS and USBC annual tournaments.  She and her daughter Carol-Jean attended many of these together with Floyd driving the RV many miles across the USA and NYS.

Survivors include her sons: William R Burger of Middletown NY (formerly of Bedford, England), Kenneth R. Bull (Cathy) of West Haven CT; daughters: Donna J Crisafulli (Dominick) of Walker Valley NY, Carol Jean Bull Knuth (James) of Pine Bush NY.  Grandchildren: Denise M. Crisafulli, Gina M. Webb (Michael), Joseph D. Crisafulli, Matthew T and Amanda K. Bull, step grandson Jacob Klein; great grandchildren Madison and Brady Webb; former daughter in law Kathleen Holmes.

Her extended family included Chrissy (Derrick) Pierce, Sara Green and Milo Surratt of VA; the Bailey Family, Ray, Becky, Elsa, Raymond and Esme of Sussex NJ, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and bowling friends and neighbors. Roberta was predeceased by her husband Floyd, brother in law Richard G. Bull, sister in law Agnes M Youngs and daughter in law Wendy Burger. 

Visitation will be held on Friday May 8, 2026 from 6-8pm at the William M. Gagan Funeral Home Inc. 1525 Burlingham Rd. Graveside services will take place on Saturday May 9, 2026 at 2:00pm at the Bullville Cemetery 2857 Rte 17K Bullville, NY. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Roberta’s memory to the Circleville Ladies Auxiliary, 2147 Route 302, Circleville NY  10919 or the International Bowling Hall of Fame and Museum through their website www.bowlingmuseum.com. Arrangements entrusted to the William M. Gagan Funeral Home Inc. www.wmgaganfuneralhome.com