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BORN
1949
DIED
2023
FUNERAL HOME
Robert Wilson Obituary
Born: July 14, 1949 in Ottawa, IL
Died: April 23, 2023 in Arlington Heights, IL
Robert Wilson, 73, of Ottawa, passed away on Sunday, April 23, 2023 with family by his side.
Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Zion Lutheran Church. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with Rev. David Daniel, Pastor officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
Bob was born on July 14, 1949 at the Ryburn King Hospital in Ottawa, to Ted and Nellie (McKinney) Wilson. He graduated from OTHS in 1969. Bob started working for Caterpillar in Joliet immediately after graduating. He married Gayle Riebe on July 4, 1969. He retired from Caterpillar and worked for Jim's Formal Wear as a delivery driver, after his retirement.
Bob was a faithful member of Zion Lutheran Church in Ottawa, where he was president for a number of years. He also served as President of Rutland School Board for many years, as well as serving on Bakelite Credit Union board of directors. He loved the game of softball; having played and coached for several years. He was an avid hunter, bowler, and proud Cubs and Bears fan. Bob enjoyed gifting others with candies, his homemade zucchini bread, or his hand painted signs. Anyone who knew him could recognize his jovial "belly-laugh" and his outgoing personality.
He is survived by his wife, Gayle Wilson; children, Rob (Karole) Wilson of Ottawa, Christa (Marc) Fogarty of Marseilles, and Ryan (Dawn) Wilson of Ottawa; grandchildren, Madelayne (Carlos) Cota of Virginia, Nathaniel (Brooke) Wilson of New York, Gabrielle Wilson (Sekai Banes) of North Carolina, Chelsea Fogarty (Bobby Sanford) of Texas, Jaxon Fogarty of North Carolina, Kaitlyn Wilson of Ottawa, Hunter (Sabrina) Wilson of the United Kingdom, Ryan Wilson, Jr., Dustin Gerkitz, and Patrick Gerkitz all of Ottawa; a great grandchild, Rylen Gerkitz; sister Patricia Munari of Marseilles; brothers Deryl and Terry Wilson of Ottawa; sisters-in-law, Nancy Ugland, Linda (Bill) Backos, and Sherri (Keith) Countryman; and brother-in-law Wade Riebe all of Ottawa.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Eugene and Donald Davis, Ronald and Vernon Wilson; and sister, Imogene Arwood.
Pallbearers will be Rob Wilson, Ryan Wilson, Ryan Wilson, Jr., Marc Fogarty, Jaxon Fogarty, and Leon Backos. Honorary Pallbearers will be Hunter Wilson, Nathaniel Wilson, Mike Daw, Bobby Riebe, Wade Riebe, Deryl Wilson, Terry Wilson, and Bill Backos.
Memorials may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church in Ottawa or a Servant's Heart.
You may sign the online guestbook and share remembrances at www.MuellerFH.com. Mueller Funeral Home and Crematory 800 First Avenue, Ottawa, IL 61350 815-434-4433
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Wilson
Sponsored by Mueller Funeral Homes Ottawa.
4 Entries
Richard & Julie Phelps & Nancy Price
April 29, 2023
Our deepest Sympathy, so sorry for the loss of your. You are in our prayers & our thoughts.
Bill and Sandy Crabb
April 29, 2023
Bob was a very kind man.. met him years ago while shopping in his shop downtown Ottawa and have purchased several coins from him in the past.. who would of known that down the road he would have become a father in law to our neiceSo very sorry to you Ryan and your whole family as you lay your dad to rest we are all thinking of you all
Larry Sebby
April 27, 2023
Gayle and Family,
I am so sorry to learn of Bob's passing. He was such a great volunteer and parent at Rutland, and an outstanding school board member. His influence made Rutland a great place for kids to learn and succeed. I am deeply indebted to him for the many hours of work he put in to make the school so much better for the students, but also for all the help and support he gave me. I am now living in the Kansas City area so I regret not being able to pay my respects to your family in person. I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers as you go through the difficult process of adapting to life without this wonderful man.
Hughes family
April 27, 2023
All the Hughes family from Dayton, remember him , and are so sorry for your loss.
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