Garmers, Robert “Bob”

Robert “Bob” Garmers, age 79 of Athens, passed away on Thursday January 15, 2015 at St. John’s Hospice.

He is survived by his wife, Leann; four daughters, Pam (Kevin) Blakeman of Springfield, Patti (Don) Squires of Athens, Pennie Stevens of Springfield, and Peggy Schmidgall of DeBary, FL; two sisters, Donna Ferguson of Atmore, AL and Janet (Fred) Schmulbach of Athens; one brother Tom (Sandy) Garmers of Sherman; eight grandchildren, Brooke (Jeff) Hall, Michelle Voudrie, Kyle (Crystal) Blakeman, Donnie (Maggie) Squires, Chad (Jessica Watkins) Blakeman, Chris (Brittney) Schmidgall, Kayla (Brad Yager) Stevens, Morgan Stevens, and Amy Schmidgall; and nine great-grandchildren, Jordyn, Landyn, Nolan, Colton, Camden, Finnigan, Charlotte, Madison, Hannah, and one on the way.

Bob was born November 3, 1935 in Cantrall, Illinois, the son of Harold and Harriet Brittin Garmers.

He married Leann Grant on November 7, 1954 at the Athens Christian Church. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a large family celebration.

Bob retired from Illinois Bell in 1991 after 36 years. He also worked at Tom’s Heating and at Mott & Henning Funeral Home.

He was a member of the Athens Rotary Club and the Westside Christian Church. Bob was a main organizer of the Athens Alumni Reunions for many years. He was a Athens Community Park board member for several years and a board member on the Menard County Housing Authority.

His family was his life. Bob was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Visitation will be on Sunday, January 18, 2015 at the Westside Christian Church from 4:00 until 7:00 PM.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 19, 2015 at the Athens Christian Church at 10:00 AM.

Rev. Gary Winkleman will be officiating.

Burial will be held at Joel Hall Cemetery in Athens.

Family is being served by Mott & Henning Funeral Home, in Athens, IL.

Memorials can be made to the Athens Public Library or the Lake Springfield Christian Assembly (Eagle Lodge).