Robert E. Baer

1936 - 2022

Robert E. Baer
Born: February 21, 1936 in La Salle, IL
Died: December 31, 2022 in Tonica, IL
Robert Edward "Bob" Baer, 86, of Tonica passed away peacefully at home on December 31, 2022.
Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Saturday, January 7 at Tonica United Methodist Church in Tonica with Pastor Phil Jackson officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Tonica. Visitation will be in Tonica United Methodist Church on Friday, January 6 from 4:00-7:00 PM. Additional visitation will be in the church on Saturday from 9:00 AM until time of services. The Hurst Funeral Home in Tonica is assisting the family with arrangements.
Bob was born on February 21, 1936 to Cora (Walgenbach) and J. Edward Baer. His sister, Bonnie Jean joined the family a few years later. Bonnie had downs syndrome and was unable to attend school but he made sure to bring her with him whenever possible as well as give her rides on his pony. Before he graduated from high school in 1954, his sister and his dad had passed away.
He worked as a farm hand at a young age and on July 7, 1956 he married the farmer's oldest daughter, Nancy Swift, his high school sweetheart. They had four children, Mark, Shelley, Mike, and Tracy which he said put a smile back on his mother's face. Bob worked for the Tonica Lumber Company and drove a school bus before taking over the Baldwin & Kenney Insurance Agency. Bob took great pride in taking care of his family and set high expectations for his children. He enjoyed his Manhattans while sitting and chatting, often teasing and sharing a laugh with others. The family created many great memories vacationing at the Lake of the Ozarks for many years and snowmobiling locally as well as in Wisconsin. Bob also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and motorcycling.
Bob was a civic/community minded person. He was a member of the Tonica United Methodist Church, the Eden Twp. Supervisor for many years, a member of the Tonica Fire Dept a director on the Peru Waltham Insurance Company. Upon his retirement he drove veterans to their appointments putting in over 2595 hours in 13 years of service. He was a member of the Tonica Masonic Lodge and Ducks Unlimited as well as a Shriner.
Bob is survived by his wife of 66.5 years, Nancy; his children Mark (Laura), Shelley (Josh) Ebener, Mike (Kelly), and Tracy (Greg) Kotecki; 9 grandchildren: Brad (Katie) Baer, Jamie (TJ) Bahorik, Nick (Gabby) Ebener, Luke (Jess) Ebener, Megan (fiancee Kyle) Baer, Mitchell Baer, Derrick Baer, Ryan (Alyssa) Kotecki, and Aaron (Kristin) Kotecki as well as step grandchildren, Courtney (Jason) Kvitle and Brett Thomas; 9 great-grandchildren with #10 arriving soon: Jack, Jude, Annabelle, Charlie, Theo, Oakli, Hadley, Colt, and Kacey, as well as a step great-grandchild Andie with another arriving soon.
In lieu of flowers memorials can be directed to Tonica Fire Dept. or the Tonica United Methodist Church.
Pallbearers will be Brad Baer, Nick and Luke Ebener, Mitchell and Derrick Baer, Ryan and Aaron Kotecki, and Dave Huss.
Online condolences may be viewed and remembrances shared at www.hurstfuneralhomes.com.