Robert "Bob" Dale Hildreth

Mattoon-Robert 'Bob' Dale Hildreth, age 83, of Mattoon, passed away 4:05 a.m., Tuesday, June 10, 2008 while at home.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nThe funeral service in his honor will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 14, 2008, at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home with the Reverend Virgil Baker officiating. Interment will be in Bethel Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Mattoon VFW Post 4325. Visitation will be Friday evening from 5:00-7:00 p.m., also at the funeral home.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nBob was born November 6, 1924, in Loxa, Illinois, the son of Everett E. and Marjorie D. (Defenbaugh) Hildreth. He married Iris Hope Hardin on April 5, 1947, in Mattoon. \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nHe is survived by his son, Robert A. Hildreth and his wife, Rosanna, of Bryan, TX; two brothers: Bill Hildreth, and Jim Hildreth and his wife Barbara ; one sister, Nancy Fisher; a sister-in-law, Barbara Hildreth; a son-in-law, Thomas Shafer; seven grandchildren: Brittney Reynolds and her husband, Eric, of Brighton, MI; Jamey Shafer of Astoria, NY; Andrew Shafer and his wife, Cresta, of Santa Barbara, CA; Maria Zsohar and her husband, Julius, of Dallas, TX; Aaron Hildreth of College Station, TX; Rachel Andrews and her husband, Adam, of Colorado Springs, CO; and Philip Hildreth of Colorado Springs, CO. four great-grandchildren: Emma Shafer, Owen Zsohar, James Zsohar, and Addison Andrews; and several nieces and nephews. He also leaves a special friend, Dolores Holmes. He was preceded in death by his wife, Iris, in 1998, a brother, Albert Gene Hildreth, in 2005, and two daughters, Linda Diane 'Heidi' Shafer, in 1985 and TeaLane Sue Hildreth, in 1999.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nMr. Hildreth served our country with the Army during World War II. He was a retired foreman of Blaw-Knox Construction Equipment and a member of the Mattoon Moose, VFW, and American Legion. \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nBob took pleasure working on tractors and had rebuilt more than 20 in his lifetime. He also liked to work on engines, especially Maytag gasoline engines. Many people said he was the smartest mechanic they had ever known. He worked on cars, motorcycles, and model airplanes. The family home was constructed by Bob, Iris and their children over a period of six years. He continued working in his shop until approximately a year ago. In his free time he enjoyed beekeeping and gardening, but the time he treasured most was spent with his family and friends and going out to breakfast with his buddies. \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nMemorials may be made to the Lincolnland Hospice, 700 Broadway Avenue East, Suite 9, Mattoon, Illinois, 61938

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Robert "Bob" Dale Hildreth

November 6, 2024 - June 10, 2008