Robert "Bob" Leroy Birdsell

Born on June 2, 1940 in Chicago to Leroy James and Mary Louise (Rollins) Birdsell, He married to Connie DeFrates on June 17, 1961 in Jacksonville.

Surviving are his wife of 63 years; one daughter, Sandra Lee Scott of Pekin; one granddaughter, Kayla Scott of Pekin and two siblings, Judy Anderson and Bonita Swan, both of Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, William “Billy” Birdsell; three siblings, William Birdsell, Mike Birdsell and Barbara Maxwell; one infant brother, Larry and one infant sister, Mary.

Bob had worked for 30 years at Caterpillar Inc. in East Peoria, retiring in 1994. He was a member of the Local UAW 974. Bob also worked for the Pekin Park District in maintenance for 15 years before retiring in 2005. He had owned and operated several open air produce markets in the area for 60-plus years.

An avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, Bob enjoyed bowling, fishing and hunting.

Bob was a member of the Pekin First Church of God.

His funeral will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Kim Bacon will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be 11 a.m. Friday, June 28, 2024 at Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin officiated by Pastor Daniel Larimore.

Memorial may be made to the Pekin First Church of God, 2520 Maywood Ave, Pekin, Illinois 61554.

To express condolences online visit, www.preston-hanley.com