Robert Edward ""Bob"" Baer

1936 - 2022

86-year-old Robert Edward "Bob" Baer of Tonica died at home on December 31st.

Funeral services will be Saturday at 10 at Tonica United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Tonica. Visitation will be in Tonica United Methodist Church on Friday from 4 until 7 with additional visitation in the church on Saturday from 9 until time of services. The Hurst Funeral Home in Tonica is assisting the family with arrangements.

Bob Baer was born on February 21, 1936 to Cora Walgenbach and J. Edward Baer. 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. Bob worked for the Tonica Lumber Company and drove a school bus before taking over the Baldwin & Kenney Insurance Agency.

Bob was a member of the Tonica United Methodist Church, the Eden Twp. Supervisor for many years, a member of the Tonica Fire Dept and 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 Nancy; his children Mark, Shelley Ebener, Mike, and Tracy Kotecki; 9 grandchildren as well as step grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren with #10 arriving soon: as well as a step great-grandchild with another arriving soon.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be directed to Tonica Fire Dept. or the Tonica United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be viewed and remembrances shared at www.hurstfuneralhomes.com.