Bob Southard

Bob Southard, 71, of Springfield died Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007 at St. John’s Hospital, the same hospital where he was born on October 1, 1935. He was the son of Carl and Mary Southard and was formerly married to Mary Jo Schottler. He was a self made man who achieved success through integrity and an ability to befriend those with whom he came in contact. Bob was a well-known and respected businessman. He was the owner/operator of Southard’s standard Service, Courtesy Motors, Black Lantern Trailer Park and Southard Auto Service. For years, he was a member of the Springfield – Downtown Kiwanis Club, and served on the Board of Directors for Decatur Stanolind Credit Union. Always known to have a joke, Bob would engage anyone in conversation, brightening their day. In recent years, he regularly drove all over Central Illinois and could tell you lunch specials and who had the best pie from Chandlerville to Nokomis. From frequent visits to Amish friends around Arthur, Bob was a treasured source of apple butter to his children and friends. He also enjoyed boating and taught countless people to water-ski on Lake Springfield. He will be missed by those who survived him: three children, Richard (Tatiana) of Encinitas, CA, Patricia (Patrick) Isom of Marietta, GA, and Jennifer (Michael) Foutch of Alexandria, VA; seven grandchildren under the age of five, of whom he was very proud and would brag about at every opportunity; five brothers and a sister, Billy, Benny, Bud, Bing, Buster and Bunny; and many nieces and nephews. Cremation accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center. The family welcomes friends to visit for a Memorial Gathering from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Wednesday Sept. 19, 2007, at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007, at Saint Agnes Catholic Church, 245 N. Amos Ave., Springfield, IL with Rev. Robert Jallas officiating. Burial will follow in Camp Butler National Cemetery, where military honors will be provided by the Dept. of Defense. Memorial contributions may be made to an education fund established in Bob's name, c/o Richard Southard, 1752 Gascony Rd., Encinitas, CA 92024.