Robert Hernbeck Obituary

HERRIN - Robert Eugene "Bob" Hernbeck, 85, passed away at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011, in the VA Nursing Center in Marion.

Robert was born Oct. 2, 1925, in Taylor Crossing to William Cooper and Myrtle (Sizemore) Hernbeck. He married Aline Ruth Barlow on June 12, 1943, in Herrin. Together, they shared 67 years together.

He was a World War II Army veteran, who served his country bravely while stationed in Germany as a radio/communications specialist.

Robert was discharged as a first sergeant and returned home to work various jobs before being hired at Norge Company in Herrin. He worked there as a foreman/supervisor before retiring in 1987. Once retired, he worked as a security guard for various local mines until retiring again at the age of 82.

He enjoyed watching over his family and making sure they were safe, following the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, listening to gospel music, going on long rides on rainy days and bowling.

Bob was a 60-plus-year member of Energy First Baptist Church and Herrin American Legion.

Survivors include his wife, Aline Hernbeck of Herrin; son, Gary Hernbeck and wife, Sheila, of Herrin; three daughters, Cheryl Knott and husband, Don, of Terre Haute, Ind., Patty Duncan and husband, Dale, of Herrin, and Crystal Ritchason and husband, Gary, of Jasper, Ala.; 11 grandchildren, Scott Hernbeck and wife, Cathy, of Brentwood, Tenn., Tanya Nickens and fiancée, Steven Pierce, of Herrin, Sadie Hunsaker and husband, John, of Herrin, Michelle Hudson and husband, Mark, of Terre Haute, Ind., Teresa Batchelor and husband, Donnie, of Carbon, Ind., Tara Hatley and husband, Nick, of Pomona, Devin Duncan of Herrin, Torry Duncan and wife, Mary Lou, of Arnold, Mo., Billy Duncan of Carterville, and Lindsay and Joseph Ritchason of Jasper, Ala.; 21 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Lloyd Hernbeck of Cambria and Don Hernbeck of Marion; and many nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandchild, Don Nickens; sisters in infancy, Lillian, Louis and Ruth; sisters, Ina Sander and Beulah Rushing; and brother, William Hernbeck.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011, in Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin, with the Rev. Jim Wright and Pastor John Yeo co-officiating. Burial will be in Herrin City Cemetery with military rites performed at graveside by Herrin VFW and American Legion posts, with assistance from the Illinois National Guard. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011, at the funeral home.

Memorial donations are suggested to Energy First Baptist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For more information or to sign the memorial guest register, visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Southern Illinoisan from Jan. 16 to Jan. 17, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Hernbeck

12 Entries

Cyrilene Hicks

January 24, 2011

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Victoria Hogan

January 19, 2011

Scott,

You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Love, your Clair Nashville family

January 18, 2011

Gary, my deepest sympathy. I understand what a difficult time you have been through. But the final passage to peace is hardest to accept. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Jannette Smith-Manning

Patty Robertson (Mitchell)

January 17, 2011

Gary, Cheryl & Patty,
I spent a lot of time growing up going to church with your whole family. We were all in the choir at Energy Baptist along with your parents. I also spent some time at your house too.
What I remember most about your parents was their faithfulness to be at church and their love for others. I'm sorry to hear of his passing. I know you will really miss him. My parents have been gone for a few years now and I still miss them.

Michael Spruell

January 17, 2011

Gary and Family,
May God give You strength at this time of sorrow.

John,Connie and Dustin Maxey

January 17, 2011

" Gary, Connie and I are so very sorry to hear about your Dads passing. My Dad worked with Bob at Norge, and we bowled with him, in Mens Leagues. Our prayers and deepest sympathies are with you, your Sisters and your family." John, Connie and Dustin Maxey

Hope Crider

January 17, 2011

My sympathy to the family. Bob was always very tolerant of my summer invasion to their house when I was a teen and Michele was in visiting. He encouraged my singing and always gave me a friendly face to focus on when I was standing at the front of the church with my mom, shaking in my shoes! He will be missed.

gary noakes

January 17, 2011

I was saddend to hear of Bobs passing. We worked together at Norge for several years. He was a good person and a good friend.

Annette Branche

January 17, 2011

Gary, just wanted to say how sorry for all you have gone thru and what is still ahead. Praying for you and Sheila and family. Annette & Dale Branche. West Frankfort, Il.

woodrow lyell jr.

January 16, 2011

Gary,we are sorry for your lost of your father.i know how you went above and beond to help each and everyone of your school children even when you picked em up in your car just so they wouldnt half to miss school.im sure your father has the same hart and kindness as you. again were sorry for your loss.

Brenda Duncan

January 16, 2011

My prayers and sympathy extend to the family whom I have known
since I was 7 at Energy Baptist Church. May God Bless his family!!
I have some great memories of our times together.

Sara & Larry Tooley

January 16, 2011

Gary, We are sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you and your family. No matter what their age, they are still your loved one and you still hurt . Love, Sara and Larry Tooley

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