Robert "Bob" W. Granzeier

Robert W. “Bob” Granzeier, 80, of Springfield, died at 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 15, 2010, at St. John’s Hospice. Bob was born September 25, 1929 in Cleveland, OH, the son of Rudolph Granzeier and Margaret (Weisbarth) Granzeier. He married Loudeen (Deanie) on October 12, 1957 in Michigan. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Charles Granzeier; sister, Kate Townsend; step-brothers, Ed Johnson and Al Johnson; and grandson, Timothy Farmer. He is survived by his wife, Deanie; daughter, MaryBeth (husband, Mike) Farmer; grandson, Nicholas; and several nieces and nephews. Bob was a graduate of Saginaw High School in Saginaw, MI and Michigan State University. He is a member of the Saginaw County Sports Hall of Fame and was a recipient of All Valley Honors in football. Bob served in the Korean War as a first Lieutenant in the United States Army Combat Military Police. He was awarded the Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service, Korean Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Citation, and the National Defense Medal. Bob was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church and St. Agnes Holy Name Society, and the Veterans of Foreign War Post 755. He was a member of the National Rehabilitation Association, Illinois Rehabilitation Association, Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation, National Advisory Council-The Menninger Foundation, and Instructor/Consultant for the Southern Illinois University-Rehabilitation Institute and Sangamon State University. He retired from the State of Illinois after 24 years of service in various capacities within State government. He was a member of the Governor’s Cabinet as the Director of Rehabilitation Services. Bob was instrumental in the initial development and eventual implementation of Access Illinois Transportation Services. Cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center. The family will receive friends from 9:30 - 10:45 a.m. on Friday, June 18, 2010, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 245 N. Amos Ave. in Springfield. The funeral mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Robert J. Jallas, celebrant. A private burial service will be held at Camp Butler National Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to SPARC (Epilepsy Resource Center), One SPARCenter Plaza, 232 Bruns Lane, Springfield, IL 62702, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1905 or St. Agnes Catholic Church, 245 N. Amos, Springfield, IL 62702.