Robert Bannister

Robert "Bob" Bannister, age 92, of Chillicothe, passed away on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Bob was born on August 12, 1932 in Kansas City, KS to Jess Charles and Loretta June (Morris) Bannister. He married Alice Elizabeth Emmitt on October 10, 1953 in Sterling, IL. She preceded him in death on February 21, 2021. Also preceding him in death are his parents; his sons, Alan and Dana Bannister; and his grandson, Drew Bannister.
Surviving are his children, Brad (Robin) Bannister of Chillicothe, IL, Patti (Jeff) Ritchie-Williams of Buckeye, AZ, Craig (Sheila) Bannister of Chillicothe, IL and Adele (Robert) Spell of Stafford, VA; his daughter-in-law, Loretta Bannister of East Peoria; his grandchildren, Jordan Bannister, Ivy (Justin) Carnegie, Levi Bannister, Faith Morgan, Josh Ritchie, Jessi Williams, Joel (Angelique) Bannister, Stephanie (Amber) Bannister, Miles Bannister, Raymond (Rachel) Gorra, Leah Bannister, Kayla Spell and Ethan Spell; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Bob graduated from Wyandotte High School, in Kansas, and then served as a Private First Class in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957. While serving in the Army, Bob was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska. Bob and Alice enjoyed their time in Fairbanks and often shared those memories with their children and grandchildren. Bob started his career with Caterpillar at the East Peoria foundry before retiring from the hose plant in Mossville after 32 years. After his retirement, he worked for Szolds Department Store, Arrowhead County Club, mowed yards and did field maintenance for IVC High School and the Rome ball fields. Bob was inducted in the IVC Hall of Fame Friends of Athletics in 2007. When his kids were young, he coached Little League and was a Boy Scouts of America Troop Leader. He was an avid fisherman, loved watching football on Sundays and loved playing Rummy and Poker. He even taught Rummy to many of the residents at Heritage Health in Chillicothe, where he had resided for the past three and a half years. He enjoyed living at Heritage Health (ARC) and had become very well-known and adored amongst the staff. Bob loved storytelling and cracking jokes with his excellent comedic timing and wit. He loved ice cream and hated brussels sprouts!
Services will be held at Weber-Hurd Funeral home in Chillicothe. Visitation will be held of Friday, October 18, 2024 from 5pm-7pm. Rev. Ron Martz will officiate funeral service on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 11am after an additional visitation starting at 10am. Burial will follow the services on Saturday at LaPrairie Methodist Cemetery. Rev. Ron Martz will officiate. Memorials in Bob's name may be made to Drew's Plots. Arrangements are under the care of Weber-Hurd Funeral Home in Chillicothe.