Robert Bastert

MENDON, Ill. -- Robert W. "Bob" Bastert, 90, of rural Mendon passed away Sunday (May 17, 2015) at the Golden Good Shepherd Home in Golden.

Robert was born April 25, 1925, in Quincy to the late Frederick Wilhelm and Vera Margaret (Ginster) Bastert. He married Delores Mae Burke on Feb. 8, 1945, in Golden. Delores survives of rural Mendon.

Bob and Dee recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary, and he was with his family to celebrate his 90th birthday.

Bob was a lifelong dairy farmer and also was very active in serving the community in which he lived. He was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Army as a demolition specialist and paratrooper.

Bob served in the past on the board of directors for the Adams County Fair, the Ursa Retreat House, the Farm Bureau and North Adams Home, where he also served as president of the board. He played baseball for several years for the Camp Point Pointers. He was also active as a 4-H leader in Big Neck, the Coatsburg-Paloma Lions Club, and he participated in the Veterans Honor Flight in 2011.

Additional honors and awards he received include the Heritage Award from the Western Illinois Dairy Promotion Committee, state director for Illinois Holstein Association and the Melvin Jones Fellow Award from Lions Club.

Bob was an active member of Centennial Ebenezer Methodist Church near Big Neck, where he will be sorely missed as a dedicated ice cream maker for their annual socials. He was an avid Cubs fan, never giving up on his beloved baseball team. Bob was known for his dedication to his wife and family, for the love of his dog Buster, and his pride and sense of humor. He was a good neighbor and friend and was loved by all.

Bob is survived by his wife of 70 years, Delores (Burke) Bastert of rural Mendon, six children, Sharon Mitok of LaGrange, Mo., Linda (Richard) Hess of LaGrange, Mo., John (Patty) Bastert of Bolingbrook, Bob (friend Sandy Schutte) Bastert of Quincy, Carol (Joe) Krekeler of Chesterfield, Mo., and Dan (Nancy) Bastert of Loraine; 11 grandchildren, Rickey (Nicole) Mitok of Tremont, Amy Durst of Peoria, Karington Hess of Ohio, Jason, Jeremy and Ryan of the Chicago area, Bill (Jan) Bastert of Mendon, Jill (Nick) Steinkamp of Quincy, Beth Bastert of Quincy, Emily Bastert of Quincy, Craig (fiance Hilary Wittler) Bastert of Loraine; 10 great-grandchildren, Kai Mitok of Tremont, Amber Durst of Peoria, Toni Moore of Peoria, Sean and Jenna Bastert of the Chicago area, Allison, Jamie, Paul, Isaac and Nathan Steinkamp of Quincy; two sisters, Marilyn Martin of Quincy, and Dorothy (Harold) Zopf of Quincy; and many nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Linthicum.

SERVICES: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 23, military services will be held at the Hunter Funeral Home at Mendon by the Bear Creek American Legion Post No. 823.

VISITATION: 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 23, memorial visitation will be held at Hunter Funeral Home at Mendon.

MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers memorial contributions have been suggested to the Centennial-Ebenezer Methodist Church or the Coatsburg-Paloma Lions Club.

ARRANGEMENTS: Hunter Funeral Home, Mendon.

WEBSITE: www.hunterfh.com.

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