Robert Gene Fairchild, 89, of Fairview Heights, IL passed away on Friday, September 10, 2021. He was born to Harold Monroe and Grace Effie Eileen (nee Miller) Fairchild in East St. Louis, IL on August 17, 1932.
Robert graduated from Collinsville High School and shortly thereafter joined the U.S. Army as a paratrooper from 1953 – 1955. He married the love of his life, Shirley Jean Wiggins on June 27, 1953 in Pocahontas, AR. He was a hardworking man and supported his family as a machinist. He was also a talented musician, singer and painter. Over the years, he was a member of Winstanley Baptist Church and Edgemont Bible Church. Robert was a kind man, a devoted husband, a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather who will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Grace Fairchild; uncle, Arthur Robert Fairchild; and daughter-in-law, Cindy Fairchild.
Surviving to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 68 years, Shirley J. (nee Wiggins) Fairchild; his children, Robert Fairchild Jr., Bruce (Nadia) Fairchild, Richard Fairchild and Melody (Pamela) Fairchild; grandchildren, Ben (Andi) Fairchild, Autumn Fairchild, Rachel (Dan) Speichinger, Sara (Kevin) Rennaux, Andrew (Noriko) Fairchild, Bruce Fairchild Jr., and Nathan (Randa) Fairchild; great-grandchildren, Philo, Charlee and Kael Speichinger, Luke and Lilliana Rennaux, Saori, Faith, Cody, Joshua and Sam Fairchild.
Visitation will take place on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home from 10 AM to 12 PM. The funeral service will begin at noon, immediately followed by interment at Valhalla Gardens of Memory.
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