Robert E VanNattan

Born October 10, 1927 in Green Valley to Adeline Mills (George) and Ed VanNattan (Ethel), he married Betty Earhart on November 27, 1948 in Havana. She survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Darla (Jerry) Watkins of Manito and Charlene (Bruce) Hohulin of Morton; eight grandchildren, Holly (Dan) Bauman of Goodfield, Gretchen Hohulin of Morton, Anna (Jason) Lantz of Bluffton, Indiana, Jamie (Bob) Rohrer of Williston, Florida, Liz Schmidgall of Eureka, Jesse (Alissa) Watkins of Mackinaw, Aaron (Brigette) Hohulin of Congerville and Wendy (Billy) Robb of Phoenix, Arizona; 15 great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Murel VanNattan, two sisters, Bonita Lutz and Lila Rhodes, one great-grandchild, Jaycee Lantz and his beloved cousin, Everett Dean.

Bob was a veteran of the United States Navy.

He worked as a brick mason, a railroad engineer for Chicago and North Western Railway, he was a Park Ranger for Pekin Park District, trained horses and managed Timberline Stables in Goodfield and Van’s Delshire Stables in Pekin.

Bob loved riding and showing horses, swimming, fishing, dancing, boxing and weightlifting, all of which he took great pride in teaching his grandkids. He was an avid story teller and was also known for hand feeding the squirrels in Pekin Park.

His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday, December 23, 2022 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home & Crematory in Pekin. Bruce Hohulin will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, December 22, 2022 at the funeral home. Military rites will be provided by the United States Navy and Tazewell Military Rites Team at 11:30 a.m. Friday morning at Green Valley Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice in Bob’s name.

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