Robert "Bob" E. Gustafson

Robert E. “Bob” Gustafson, age 98, of Knoxville, Illinois died at 11:45 am on Monday, October 30, 2023 at Courtyard Estates in Knoxville, Illinois.

He was born to Ralph N. and Mildred I. (Swanston) Gustafson on December 20, 1924. He attended a one room grade school in Persifer township and graduated from Victoria High School in 1942. He married Jean Dawson in Dahinda, Illinois on October 25, 1944. He served in the United States Army from 1944 to 1946. Most of that time in Italy with the 85^th Infantry Division. After being honorably discharged, Bob and his wife Jean farmed near Appleton, Illinois for 20 years.

He also served on the Appleton Volunteer Fire Department; secretary of Persifer Township; Knox County FHA Board; member of the Knox County Farm Bureau, and Knoxville Methodist Church, where he served as head usher for several years. He was named Knox County Outstanding Young Farmer in 1958.

He retired from farming in 1968 and worked for the Galesburg Post Office until he retired in 1992.

He is survived by one son, David (Sandy) Gustafson of Independence, Missouri and one daughter, Roberta (Steve) Newby of Independence, Missouri; four grandchildren: Sarah M. Gustafson of Independence, Missouri, Patrick J. (Sharyce) Newby of Mentor, Ohio, Amy J. Maehler of Germany, and Brian P. (Angela) Newby of Northlake, Texas; six great grandchildren; one half-brother, James L. Gunther of Knoxville, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one sister, Betty Acklin and one brother, Rolland.

Memorial services will be Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 1 PM, with visitation one hour prior to services at the Knoxville United Methodist Church. Interment will follow services at the Knoxville Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Knoxville United Methodist Church in Knoxville, Illinois. On-line condolences and/or expressions of sympathy may be left to the family at www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com