Robert "Bob" Driver

ROBERT DRIVER

JERSEYVILLE -   Robert F. "Bob" Driver, 89, joined his wife Dorothy, in their final resting place, at 10:26 a.m, Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at Jersey Community Hospital in Jerseyville, surrounded by his loving family.

Bob was born on Dec. 6, 1930 in Otter Creek Township, in the South Hollow of Fieldon, and was the son of Lester and Stella (Schaaf) Driver.

Bob served his country as an MP with the United States Marine Corp during the Korean War.  He spent the majority of his adult life working as a welder at the Grafton Boat Works, H&H Services in Hamel, IL., eventually retiring as a Boilermaker in 2003 from the National Transit Lodge.

He loved being outdoors, whether it be hunting, fishing, or scouring the hills of Fieldon for morel mushrooms.  In his younger years he fancied himself a farmer with large gardens, hogs, cows, and three hundred chickens each summer.  An independent man, Bob lived his life his way, which included tons of pranks, jokes, and a wide variety of use for aluminum foil.

Retirement was good to Bob, and he could often be found wearing his FS hat, with his FS ink pen index cards, in his shirt pocket.  He could easily be spotted mowing grass for anyone who would let him, or in his favorite recliner positioned directly in front of the television either watching baseball, wrestling, or old westerns, all the while wearing his favorite clodhoppers, snacking on oatmeal cream pies or cashews.

Friends and family often describe Bob as a hard worker who earned the respect of his peers, who also possessed a soft heart, a generous and humble nature, and a master whistler who winked at everyone, cause he knew no strangers.

He married the love of his life, Dorothy Yates, on June 30, 1951 in Bristol, Tn. and together they were blessed with 43 years of marriage and memories, prior to her death on Jan. 26, 1995.

Together they had three sons and a beautiful daughter, all of whom survive,  Terry Driver of Brighton, Larry and JoEllen Driver of Jacksonville, James and Carla Driver of Dow, and Shelley and Jon Hetzel of Jerseyville. He also had nine grandchildren, whom he spoiled at every opportunity, Christy Miller of Jerseyville, Heather (Terry) Bell of Kane, Heidi (Jeff) Scott of Jerseyville, Jeremiah Driver, and his fiance' Jessie Seiter of Washington, Mo., Courtney (Josh) Chapman of Jerseyville, Kirsten"Rosie", Eli, Jacob and Sophie Hetzel of Jerseyville; along with several great grandchildren; and a sister in-law, Mary Lou Driver of Jerseyville.

In addition to his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Nilda Evans; and three brothers, Charles "Shorty" Driver, Elmer "Sam" Driver, and Thomas Driver.

Visitation will from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, where funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Tuesday.  Rev. Bob Taylor will officiate.

Burial will take place in the Carrollton City Cemetery with the Jerseyville American Legion Post #492 conducting military graveside rites.

Memorials may be given to either the First United Methodist Church or Open Door House of Praise, both in Jerseyville.

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