Robert "Bob" W. Thurman

WASHINGTON- Robert “Bob” W. Thurman, 65, of Washington died peacefully at his home at 12:00PM on Monday, April 21, 2014, surrounded by his family. He was born January 27, 1949 in Peoria to Royal T. and Louise N. Barrett Thurman. He married Amanda S. Despines on March 13, 1971 at First Baptist Church in Creve Coeur. Bob is survived by his wife, Amanda; his children, Mike (Lorie) Thurman of Washington, Beth (Louie) Boyer of Washington, and Mark (Jamie) Thurman of Washington; 6 grandchildren, Katelyn , Sara, Louie, Emily, Grace, and Ella; one sister, Judy Crackel; one brother, John (Starr) Thurman; and several nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Marie. Bob proudly served his country in the United States Army, serving in Vietnam in transportation from 1969-1970. After his time in the service, he worked for Despines 66 Service, his future father-in-law’s gas station in East Peoria. He worked at East Peoria District 86 as a maintenance supervisor for 27 years. During a break at District 86 he also worked in maintenance at Methodist Hospital. After retirement, he then went to work for Tazewell/Woodford Head Start, preparing and maintaining the old Washington School on Leadley Avenue in East Peoria. He also owned and operated Bob’s Heating and AC service. He was fondly referred to as “Bob the Builder” due to his ability to fix, repair, and build nearly everything. Bob’s love of fishing, auctions, motorcycles, and camping made him friends all over. He could often be found helping those in need when he wasn’t enjoying his hobbies. Later in life, his 6 grandchildren provided him much joy, especially when he and his wife took them camping. There will be a funeral service for Bob on Friday, April 25, 2014 at 11AM at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington. Pastor Jeff Browning will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Brimfield Cemetery in Brimfield. Memorials may be made to Mark Linder Walk for the Mind to support brain cancer research (marklinderwalkforthemind.org) or to the American Brain Tumor Association (abta.org).

Robert "Bob" W. Thurman

January 27, 1949 - April 21, 2014