Robert Grover Hackler

CHARLESTON, IL -- Robert Grover Hackler, age 80 of Charleston, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 at his home in the presence of his loving family. Services celebrating his life will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday (February 11) at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 902 Cleveland Avenue in Charleston with Pastor Ken Hoover officiating. Interment will be in Roselawn Cemetery, Charleston. Visitation will be at Immanuel Lutheran Church Friday evening from 5:00-8:00 and Saturday morning from 9:00 until service time. Pastor Hackler was born December 21, 1925 in Ramona, Kansas the son of Grover Cleveland and Magdalena (Stemmermann) Hackler. He was united in marriage to Emma Cummer on November 24, 1951 at Atonement Lutheran Church in Dearborn, Michigan. He is survived by Emma, his loving wife and best friend of fifty-four years; five children, Debbie Mangrum and her husband Bill of Santa Fe, Tennessee, Scott Hackler and his fiancé, Miriam of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, Daryl Hackler and his wife Laura of Ashmore, Illinois, Marty Hackler of Charleston and Paul Hackler and his wife Teresa of Dover, Minnesota; ten grandchildren, Aundrea, Neil and Airen Mangrum, all of Santa Fe, Blake and Meredith Hackler, both of Ashmore, Emily Hackler of Orlando, Florida; Kelby, Spencer, Olivia and Avery Hackler, all of Dover; three sisters, Mildred Hackler and Teddy Baresel and her husband Art, all of Junction City, Kansas and Jean Spreen and her husband Francis of Shawnee Mission, Kansas; and a large extended family. He was preceded by his parents; five infant children; and three brothers, Roland Hackler, Eugene Hackler, and Daryl Hackler. Pastor Robert Hackler received his undergraduate degree from St. John's College in Winfield, Kansas, a Bachelor of Divinity from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri and a Master of Arts Degree from the University of South Dakota. He was ordained in 1950 and was installed as Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Newcastle, Wyoming. In 1958 he was called to pastor St. Luke Lutheran Church in Rapid City, South Dakota and from 1962 until 1977 was pastor at Concordia Lutheran Church in Vermillion, South Dakota. In 1977 he and Emma moved their family to Charleston and served the congregation of Immanuel Lutheran Church as their Pastor until his retirement in 1991. Even though he retired from fulltime ministry, Pastor Hackler continued to serve as an Interim Pastor on several occasions for Immanuel, and for congregations in Casey, Marshall and Dorans. Pastor Hackler was a member and Pastor Emeritus of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Charleston. He was also a member of the Eastern Illinois University Panther Club and the YMCA Hinges and Twinges Group. His concern for others always prompted him to seek out opportunities which allowed him to be of help and encouragement. He assisted in establishing the Chaplaincy Program at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center and served as their Chaplain; he volunteered as a Chaplain for Lincolnland Hospice; he helped to organize the Charleston Food Pantry; was past president and board member of the Coles County Council on Aging; and a volunteer with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program helping to deliver Meals on Wheels. Pastor Hackler was once described as "what you see is what you get". His faith in God created the firm foundation upon which he lived his life and he was committed to living a Christ-centered life, being an example for his family and for others. He was never one to judge and his genuine love for people created a kind and gentle man with a smile as warm as a summer day and a heart that was filled with love and compassion. He shared his marvelous sense of humor and his presence was always welcomed. He and Emma had a mutual passion for gardening and Pastor's generosity overflowed as he always shared the fruits of his labors with others. He enjoyed camping and traveling and loved to take the back roads – even if you were going no farther than Mattoon. Pastor Hackler treasured his family and they have been blessed as the recipients of his steadfast and unconditional love. He will be remembered as a truly special person in the hearts of many and as a husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, he was simply "the best". In lieu of flowers, Pastor's family requests that Memorials in his honor be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Charleston, the Robert G. Hackler Scholarship Fund at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, Coles County Council on Aging Life Span Center or Lincolnland Hospice. Gifts may be left on the Memorial Table at the Visitation or Services or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.jg-tc.com and click on obituaries.