Robert "Bob" Jo Coomer

Bob was born on April 7, 1945, in St. Louis, MO, the son of Lloyd and Ruth Holscheiser Coomer. He married Debra Garst on January 29, 2008, in Springfield.

Bob attended Western Illinois University for his undergrad and went on to earn his master’s degree from the University of Illinois, where he studied park and recreation administration. He retired as Director of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Patricia Krueger; and one brother, Michael Hansel.

He is survived by his wife, Debra Coomer of Bradenton, FL; one son, Robert Mason (wife, April Brewer) Coomer of Portland, OR; three daughters, Carolyn (husband, Jason) Gerwen of Lakewood, WA, Jaime (husband, Frank) Nash of Bloomington, IL, and Randi (fiancé, Chris Redman) Garst of Springfield, IL; six grandchildren, Seyarra, Kaedynn, Zelma, Jake, Piper, and Ashyr; and best friend, Lacy Hickman.

Private family ceremonies were held with burial at Camp Butler National Cemetery, including military honors provided by the Air Force and the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County.

Memorial contributions may be made to: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or by visiting stjude.org

The family was served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield.