Robert "Bob" James Vester

Bob was born on March 13, 1985, in Peoria to Jim and Terry Vester, both of whom preceded him in death.

On Oct. 10, 2009, Bob married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Kayla Bogner, in Peoria. She survives. Bob is also survived by their two young sons, Cade and Cam.

Bob began his career in law enforcement in September 2006, by working part-time as a corrections officer in the Marshall County Jail and as a court bailiff, until becoming a full-time corrections officer in June 2007. Bob transitioned to a full-time Marshall County Deputy in June 2008. In July 2013, he became a K-9 handler for the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office. Bob and his K-9 partner, “Flitz”, who also preceded him in death, became an award-winning team. In October 2017, Bob left the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office and began working for the East Peoria Police Department. Bob continued his award-winning career, serving as a Field Training Officer, New Recruit Mentor, Peer Support Officer, and Detective. During his time with the East Peoria Police Department Bob received four Letters of Commendation and two Meritorious Service Awards for his actions as an Officer and Detective.

Bob was best known for his generous spirit and hard work. He never shied away from helping anyone, whether a friend or stranger. He met everyone with kindness and empathy. Bob’s worst quality was that he could not tell anyone “No”. His “don’t sweat the small stuff” approach to life could ease the mind of anyone who was troubled. While he was known best for all these traits, he was never far from testing the limits in the rules for a good laugh through mischievous antics and pranks. He often showed he had no shame in making a fool of himself for a good laugh. His witty sense of humor, sarcasm, fantastic dance moves, and “Bobisms” would lead to the most infectious laugh you’d have ever known.

Bob loved spending time cooking on his smoker, feeding others, and exploring different bourbons as a bourbon enthusiast. He was never short on good stories to share and had a nickname for everyone.

Bob prided himself on his fierce love for his family and friends, always putting their needs ahead of his own. He constantly strived to be the best husband, father, “Funcle”, brother and son he could be and strived to be a role model for all. He was known as being a “wish granter” for his boys and his niece. Bob raised his boys by example, always being a fighter and never allowing them to say, “I can’t.”

Even though he was a little guy, he made sure you knew he was “Kinda a big deal!”

Bob is also survived by his sisters, Tabby (Andrew “Phil”) Dorsey and Sarah (Adam) Mobley; brother, Mike Vester; sister and brother-in-law, Cassie and Brandon Scheirer; father and mother-in-law, Greg and Rhonda Bogner; niece, Bella; and nephews, Caleb, Hayden, Austin, Aiden, and Carter.

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 29th, at Davison-Fulton Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home, 2408 W. Willow Knolls Dr., Peoria. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 3:30 p.m. A law enforcement walk-through will begin promptly at 4 p.m. A public visitation will begin immediately following and continue until 7 p.m. Casual dress is requested for the visitation.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 30th, at St. Jude Catholic Church, 10811 N. Knoxville Ave., Peoria, where Bob was a member, with a visitation before starting at 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

Graveside services will follow at the LaPrairie Presbyterian Cemetery, 701 County Road 400 E, Sparland.

A memorial fund has been established to help Kayla, Cade and Cam. Anyone wishing to donate to “The Vester Family Memorial Fund” can do so at any Hometown Bank location.

Online tributes and condolences may be made at Woolsey-Wilton.com