Robert F. "Bob" Anderson

Robert "Bob" Franklin Anderson, age 91, of Petersburg, passed away peacefully on December 16, 2024, at Sunny Acres Nursing Home. He was born in Cass County on January 14, 1933, to Roscoe and Virgie Anderson.
He grew up in Oakford, Illinois and came from a loving and large family with a home filled with laughter. Bob graduated from Harris High School in 1951 in Petersburg and attended Illinois State University for 2 years before being drafted into the United States Army. He served 2 years in the army as a clerk typist in Germany. After his years of service, he returned to study at The University of Illinois where he received his Bachelor of Business. Bob married Wanda Lynn Padgett in 1958 and worked for State Farm Insurance company, which took the newlyweds to Colorado, Nebraska, and Indiana before settling in Oakford to work with his older sister and brother-in-law, Roberta and Donald Stroh, and eventually becoming owner of Stroh-Andreson Ready Mix Concrete Plant. Wanda opened her beauty shop in Oakford while living in a rented farmhouse and starting their family. As their children, Allan and Lisa, got older, the family moved to Petersburg where Wanda continued to operate her own beauty salon in Petersburg from 1964 to 1974. He and Wanda purchased the Ace Hardware store in 1990. During their 25 years of ownership, they upgraded the store that is the current Petersburg Ace Hardware and loved working together.
While their kids were growing up, Bob was an active Elder at the Petersburg Church of Christ and taught Sunday School and served as a Youth Leader. Bob was always active within his community and served on the Petersburg City Counsel for several years, as well as serving on the Menard County Board of Commissioners. Additionally, he served on the National Bank of Petersburg Board, was a Masonic Lodge member, and he coached little league and pony league baseball teams for many years. Besides his family, there was nothing he loved more than sports, especially baseball. He enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals most of all and was a season ticket holder for the St. Louis Rams for 20 years. He attended Super Bowl 34 and watched the St. Louis Rams win against the Tennessee Titans with his son, Allan, at his side. He also was an avid reader of history books and loved playing golf. Being an Anderson also meant playing pinochle. Throughout the years, our family enjoyed regular family pinochle parties.
Bob leaves behind his children, Allan (Shirley) Anderson of Petersburg and Lisa Anderson-Shaw (Fred Zar) of Chicago; his grandchildren, Alex Shaw, Clarissa Shaw, Camila Shaw, Sella Shaw, Calina Shaw, Ella Anderson, Lya Guffy, Ashley Ramos, and Nathan Ramos; his sister, Virginia Winkelmann; and many nieces and nephews.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda Anderson in 2018; and his siblings, Mildred Lucille Lutes, Mary Roberta Stroh, Randall Paul Anderson, Gerald Mack "Andy" Anderson, Roscoe Arthur "Art" Anderson, Esther Fricke, Phyllis Eleanor Leinberger, and Eugene "Bugeye" Anderson.
A Visitation will be held Saturday, December 28, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. with a Funeral Service beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Hurley Funeral Home, 122 W. Douglas, Petersburg, Illinois 62675. A burial will follow immediately at Oakland Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob's name may be made to Central Illinois Services, 101 W. Sheridan Rd, Petersburg, Illinois 62675.
Hurley Funeral Home in Petersburg is assisting the family with arrangements.