Robert "Bob" C. Stilwell, Jr. Jr.

Dateline: Buckley, Illinois

Robert "Bob" C. Stilwell, Jr., 61, of Buckley, IL, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, August 4, 2025, with his loyal wife, Connie, who lovingly called him "Stilwell," by his side.

He is survived by his wife Connie R. Stilwell, nee McCarty; children Robert "Bobby" Stilwell, III of Bethalto, IL, Rachel Stilwell of Bethalto, IL; mother and stepfather Erma (Norman) Koerner nee Stilwell of Bethalto, IL; sister Debra (Howie) Rodgers of Bloomington, IL; sister-in-law Rita (Bruce) Brinkman of Valmeyer, IL; father-in-law Glen McCarty of Millstadt, IL; nieces and nephews; and his best friend, John Bertels of Dorsey, IL.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert C. Stilwell, Sr., and mother-in-law, Helen R. McCarty.

Bob was born in Alton, IL, on August 29, 1963. He married the love of his life, Connie Stilwell on November 18, 2005, at Pere Marquette State Park. Bob and Connie lived in Bethalto for approximately nine years before their faith in the Lord took them north to Paxton, IL, where Bob served as a faithful pastor of First Baptist Church of Paxton for three years. While in Paxton, Junior, Bob's beloved cat became a member of the family. Bob would share with others that, "Junior adopted us." They later moved to Buckley, IL, and Junior went with them. Bob devoted his life to his family and to serving the Lord Jesus with his wife Connie. Bob was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church PCA in Paxton, IL.

He was a proud graduate of Civic Memorial High School and enjoyed getting together to play golf with his friends from Civic Memorial Class of 1981. Later in life, Bob graduated with a Masters degree from Liberty University.

Bob always had a passion for sports, especially the St. Louis Cardinals, the St. Louis Blues, the Fighting Illini, and the SIU Carbondale Salukis. Before meeting Connie, Bob was a season ticket holder to the Gateway Grizzlies baseball team, and five of their first six dates were spent attending their games. Bob was an avid collector of sports memorabilia which included his favorite four seats from Busch Stadium II.

He loved watching movies including classics, comedy, and war-themed, and he had a love of listening to music, especially classic rock, but not Steve Perry's Journey!

He took pride in making sure that his yard looked pristine at all times, loved tending to his garden, and later enjoying the fruits of his labor.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 10, 2025, from 3 to 6 pm, at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto, where services will also be held on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 10 am. Reverend Dr. Steve Jones will officiate. Interment will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the ALS Association in Memory of Robert "Bob" C. Stilwell, Jr., or a monetary donation to be used as the family wishes.

Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.