Robert “Bob” Pearson, 94, of Decatur, died at 10:54 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, at Martin Health Center in Bloomington.
A visitation was held at the Saybrook Christian Church in Saybrook on Wednesday, Dec. 27. A graveside service will held at Ware’s Grove Cemetery in rural Butler at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 28. Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Pearson was born to John and Eula (Crites) Pearson in St. Louis on April 13, 1929. He married Joann Hayes, daughter of Louis and Ruth Hayes, on Nov. 4, 1950.
In 1947, Mr. Pearson began working for Phillips Pipeline Company. He entered the army in 1951 and was injured in the Korean War on his first wedding anniversary later that year. After spending 18 months in Percy Jones Hospital in Battle Creek, MI, he returned to work for Phillips. He and his wife settled in Saybrook in 1958, where they lived until moving to Decatur in 2021. After 37 years with Phillips, Mr. Pearson retired and began the next chapter of his life filled with travel, spending time with family and friends, fishing trips to Canada and adventures with the Pearson Racing Team. He was a member of the American Legion and the Illinana Antique Auto Club.
Mr. Pearson is survived by his son, Terry (Sharon) Pearson of Forsyth and daughter Jody (Larry) Retter of Normal; grandsons, Michael (Dr. Matt Hale) Retter of Ft. Worth, TX, Ryan (Neda) Retter of Bloomington, Bobby (Katy) Pearson of Atlanta and Jeremy Retter of Normal; great-grandsons, Jackson, Logan and Aden Retter; step-grandchildren Paula Retter, Chris Retter and their families; sisters-in-law Georgia Eller of Nokomis, Joy Lemon of Irving, Janice Pearson of Taylor Springs and Sharol Hayes of Irving; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and brother, John Pearson.
The family requests that donations may be made to the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation at 663 13th St., Suite 100 in Oakland, CA.
