Mt. Zion-Robert W. Etherton, 85, of Mt. Zion, passed away Saturday, May 13, 2017.

Robert was born January 21, 1932 in Decatur, Illinois the son of Art and Lucille (Offenstein) Etherton. He graduated from Decatur High School. Robert married Joan Stuckey on September 3, 1955. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where he was an instructor on building structural steel towers. He retired after thirty-seven years from Tate & Lyle (A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company) where he was a supervisor in the agriproducts division. Robert was an avid trap shooter and bingo player. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, and hunting.

Robert is survived by Joan his wife of sixty-one years, daughters Brenda Walcher of Inverness, Florida and Robin (Tim) Walker of Decatur, granddaughter Jamie (Nick) Minnis of Lovington, Illinois, grandson Charles Michael Walker of Murphysboro, Illinois, and step-great-granddaughter Morgan Minnis of Mattoon, Illinois, sister-in-law Elaine Gilmore of Malvern, Arkansas, and brother-in-law Barney Walters of Batesville, Arkansas, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Robert was preceded in death by his father Art, mother and stepfather Lucille and Oscar Pillnik, in-laws J.B. “Bert” and Evelyn Stuckey, brothers-in-law Jim and Toni Stuckey and Dillard Gilmore, sister-in-law Phyllis Walters, nephew Paul (Maran) Pierson, and niece Tish Walters.

Services to celebrate Robert’s life will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, May 16, 2017 in the chapel of the Star of Hope Mausoleum at Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the services. Memorials are suggested to a charity of the donor’s choice.

The family of Robert William Etherton is being served by the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.