Robert Quillin

Robert Charles Quillin, age 73, died after a long, hard-fought battle with cancer on Friday, September 6, 2024, in Mena, Arkansas. He was born on April 26, 1951, in Clarksville, Arkansas to parents, Charles and Lois Young Quillin.
The family moved several times in his early life before finally settling in Mena after Robert's dad became a partner in Geyer-Quillin Funeral Home.
Robert graduated from Mena High School with the class of 1969. He then attended Henderson College in Arkadelphia.
Robert started working at an early age helping his dad take care of their cattle and setting up equipment for the funeral home. He worked for Charlie Wiles building chicken houses and local plumber James Brown shared much of his knowledge. Sam Rhodes and Tully Putman helped him learn car mechanic skills while he worked at their garages. He often credited all of his jobs in high school and college with giving him skills he would use for the rest of his life. As a young adult, Robert worked at US Motors Service Center and US Motors. Later he and his wife, Sharon, owned and operated Mena Memorials for 17 years. After selling the monument business he started a new career at the airport as an A&P aircraft mechanic and manager at Mena Aerospace. He traveled with crews to several foreign countries working on aircraft.
Robert was very active with a wide variety of interests and a curious mind ready to learn something new. He always had a project in progress and another planned for later. He either built or remodeled the family's homes over the years. Working on cars, dirt track racing #38, camping, boating at the lake, riding ATVs, flying his Ercoupe, and traveling were some of his favorite hobbies.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Lois Quillin; brother, Mike Quillin; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Alla Mae and Jesse Cogburn Sr.; brothers-in-law, Larry and Jesse Jr.
He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Sharon Cogburn Quillin; children; son, Jay Quillin; adopted nephew and niece, Al Quillin and Brandi Jacinto; grandchildren, Leo Jacinto, Carter Quillin, and Peyton Quillin; niece and nephews, Amber, Steve, and Jeremy Quillin; sister in law, Debbie Quillin; nieces and nephew in law, Tami, Toni and husband John, Marlena, and Tommye Rae.
Cremation services are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas. There will be a memorial service at the Pinecrest Memorial Park in Mena at a later date.
A special thank you to the Mena Elite Hospice team.