Robert W. "Bob" DeBolt

Robert W. 'Bob' DeBolt

Born: December 14, 1956; Streator

Died: January 21, 2021; Wyoming

WYOMING – Robert W. "Bob" DeBolt, 64, of Wyoming, passed away at 7:49 p.m. on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at his home.

Bob was born on December 14, 1956 in Streator, IL, the son of Glenn F. and Ruth E. (Ellenwood) DeBolt. He married Marianna (Southard) on June 13, 1998 in Smithfield, NC; she survives.

Also surviving are his mother Ruth, of Princeton; sister, Barbara Hewitt of Princeton; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Nina and John Pellegrino of Flemington, NJ; several nieces and nephews; numerous cousins; and his fur-baby, Harley.

He was preceded in death by his father, Glenn; parents-in-law, Willie and Marion Southard; and an unborn child.

Bob grew up on a farm north of Sheffield, graduated from Buda Western High School in 1975 and fulfilled his lifelong dream of railroading by starting his work on the Rock Island Railroad as a fireman. He attended Illinois Valley Community College, then attended Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago, where he graduated in 1980. Bob began his funeral career working at Schilling Funeral Home in Dixon, IL as a student during school, then he worked for Johnson-Gill-Schuster Chapel in Galva as an apprentice following graduation. In 1982, Bob began working for J. Merlyn Kidd at Toulon and Wyoming, managing the Wyoming Funeral Home. In 1990, Mr. Kidd passed away, and Bob continued operating both the Toulon and Wyoming Funeral Homes for Mrs. Kidd until Bob and Joe Hott purchased the business in 1992; later purchasing the Hammitt Funeral Home in Princeville in 1994. Bob retired from funeral service in 2009 to pursue his avocation as a railfan.

Bob was an active member of the Wyoming Lions Club and the Illinois Funeral Directors Association. He was a long-time I FUND Supporter and season ticket holder at the University of Illinois. He supported several historical railroad associations and enjoyed reading and special family occasions.

Bob's visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at the Wyoming United Methodist Church in Wyoming. His funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Rev. Rebecca Klemm will officiate. Burial will be in Wyoming Cemetery in Wyoming. Please wear a facial covering and respect social distancing guidelines. Haskell Funeral & Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Monticello Railway Museum in Monticello, IL, or the Wyoming Lions Club.

Condolences may be left for Bob's family on his tribute wall atwww.haskellfuneral.com.