Robert Eugene Bob Briggs

He was born November 6, 1922 in Shelby ,OH. The son of the late Earl and Rilla (Shanks) Briggs. He married Garnett Eileen Lefler in Macomb on August 5, 1944.

He attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Northern Baptist Seminary also in Chicago and Michigan State University in Lansing ,MI. He received an Honorary Doctor of Ministry Degree from Judson College in Elgin. He was ordained in 1959 at the First Baptist Church in Bath, MI. He pastured for several American Baptist Churches in Michigan and northern Illinois, and later served for 20 years as Minister of World Mission Support for the Great Rivers Region, American Baptist Churches. Bob continued to volunteer in many ministry roles at Central Baptist Church right up to the end of his life.

During his ministry years he traveled to many areas of the world including Haiti, El Salvador, Nicaragua, South India, Zaire, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand and China, as well as many mission fields in the United States and Puerto Rico.

More than anything Bob cherished his family and friends. He enjoyed time spent in his rose garden, playing “Rook” and trout fishing. One of his favorite retreats was Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, WI.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years, Garnett Briggs; a son, Stephen Briggs and daughter Rebecca Page; 6 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and a sister Donna Mae Nazor of Mansfield, OH. He was preceded in death by his son, Daniel Earl Briggs; sisters, Doris Solinger and Dorothy Parker; and brothers, Glenn Briggs and Wayne Briggs.

Visitation will be held Friday July 3, 2009 at Central Baptist Church, Springfield, IL. From 9:00 AM until the time of funeral services at 10:30 AM with Dr. Reg Mills officiating. Graveside services will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Macomb at 3:00 PM Friday.

Memorials may be made to the Central Baptist Church of Springfield, IL. ; International Ministries of American Baptist Churches USA or to the Great Rivers Region, American Baptist Churches. Boardman-Smith Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements (www.boardman-smith.net