Obituary of Robert E Volkert

Robert E. "Bob" Volkert Robert E. "Bob" Volkert, age 81 of Carlinville, died at 8:15am on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at Carlinville Area Hospital. He was born on August 14, 1928, in Rosiclare, IL to Jake and Dora (Herman) Volkert. Bob was a graduate of Rosiclare High School and Southern Illinois University. He was a Navy Veteran, serving from 1949 to 1954 as Radio Man First Class and Chief Petty Officer with the Allied Forces in Japan at the end of WWII and during the Korean Conflict. He was responsible for encoding and decoding classified messages. On October 12, 1955, Bob married Norma Jean Rider in Ridgway, IL. She survives. Bob retired from Exxon Oil in 1990 after 34 years in accounting. He was a member of Ss. Mary and Joseph Church, where he and his wife served as co-treasurers of the Building Fund Committee and served as rosary volunteers at Heritage Manor. He was a Knight of Columbus member of the 3rd Degree Council 663 of Carlinville and the 4th Degree Council 1985 of Gillespie where he was a past Faithful Navigator. He was also a member of the Kuntry Kuzins Square Dance Club, attending state and national square dancing conventions, Carlinville American Legion, Carlinville Town and Country Club, and Exxon Annuitant Club. He volunteered for Carlinville's Take it to Town projects. Bob enjoyed dancing, playing bridge and traveling, spending winters in McAllen, TX. and making frequent trips to Branson in later years. As a former ham radio operator, he enjoyed the computer after his retirement, and often shared jokes with family and friends. In addition to his wife Norma, he is survived by three children, Sharon (husband, Donald) Seely of Ridgway, IL, Mary Ann Leach of Keystone Heights, FL, and Paul (wife, Toni) Volkert of Belleville, IL, a brother William (wife, Shirley) Volkert of Hurst, TX, and sister Doris (husband, Harry) Bedenian of Glenview, IL. Bob was the proud grandfather of six: Michelle (husband, Michael) Mattingly of Hazelwood, MO, Daniel (wife, Cassie) Seely of Ridgway, IL, Susannah (husband, William) Charleton of Lonoke, AR, Dennis Seely of Ridgway, IL, Brock and Drake Volkert, both of Belleville, IL. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins and sister-in-law, Judy (husband, Bob) McGuire of Ridgway, IL. Funeral Information Visitation will be held at Ss. Mary and Joseph Catholic Church in Carlinville, IL, on Friday, March 26, 2010, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. A prayer service will start at 4:30 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Ss. Mary and Jospeh Catholic Church on Saturday, March 27, 2010, at 10:00 am, with Father Tom Donovan officiating, Marion Haas will accompany Ss. Mary and Joseph's choir as organist. Burial will follow in New Calvary Cemetery. Pallbearers are Daniel and Dennis Seely, Ben and Mike Bedenian, Mike and Steve Mcguire. Honorary Pallbearers are John Beck, Larry Hamel, Norm Semrock, Dale Snider, Rich Stark and Bob Kates. Donations Information In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Carlinville Area Hospital Building Fund. Directions Visitation: Ss Mary & Joseph Catholic Church Service: Ss Mary & Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery: New Calvary Catholic Cemetery