Robert William Hurley

Robert was born on November 14, 1946, to Elzie and Marguerite (Garman) Hurley of Pekin. He is survived by his wife Barbara, whom he married on February 20, 1971, in Chicago.

Robert is also survived by two sons, Richard Hurley of Morton, Bob (Jennifer) Dingledine of Glendale, AZ; one granddaughter, Jaymi Lin Dingledine of Glendale, AZ; one sister, LaDonna (Kenneth) Memken of Tampa, FL; two sister-in-laws, Lois Camphausen of Fairport, NY and Charlot Hurley of Chicago, MN; two nieces, Amanda Memken of St. Petersburg, FL and Angela (Matt) Houman of Chisago, MN; seven nephews, Kevin (Kara) Camphausen of Washington D.C., Scott Camphausen of New Haven, CT, Brian (Lauren) Camphausen of Elkton, MD, Jayson Memken of DePere, WI, Christopher (Heather) Hurley of Palm Bay, FL, Kevin (Kate) Hurley of Gig Harbor, WA and Brian (Brandy) Hurley of Marysville, WA and one great nephew, Fischer Houman of Chisago, MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers: Dennis and Tom Hurley.

Robert was a graduate of Pekin Community High School Class of 1966. After high school he attended the University of Illinois Willard Airport Flight School, graduating in 1966 and earned his commercial pilot’s license. Robert was drafted into the U.S. Army shortly after and proudly served from 1966 to 1969 during the Vietnam Conflict. He served one year in Germany and one year in Vietnam. After his military service, Bob worked as an Operating Engineer for Local 649; Most of that time he worked for N.E. Finch.

He was the President of Union Local 649 Retiree’s Club, enjoyed bowling, and playing softball. Robert was a foster parent and will be remembered for his gracious generosity. He had a lifelong love of flying, the Bears, NASCAR, and growing tomatoes.

Cremation Rites have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. A memorial visitation will be held on Friday, April 24, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. A private burial will be held on a later date at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

Memorial contributions in honor of Robert may be directed to March of Dimes 6919 Knoxville Avenue Suite 101, Peoria, IL 61614 or Freedom Paws Service Dogs Foundation 5407 East Cambron Avenue, Chillicothe, Illinois 61523.

To express condolences online, visit www.Preston-Hanley.com