Robert "Bob" Saunders

Carbondale - Robert "Bob" Saunders, 86, passed away shortly after midnight on Monday the 18th, at home. Bob was born in Zeigler to Robert and Gladys Saunders on March 7th, 1927. As Yeoman 3rd Class, Bob was a WW2 Navy veteran serving in 1945 & '46. "Uncle Buck" met and married Carolyn Malzahn of Royalton in 1952. They moved to Carbondale from Benton in 1959. Aunt "Honey" survives as well as "Uncle Buck's" brother, Thomas (and wife, Sharon) Saunders of Kansas City, as well as his sisters, Sylvia Pyszka of Fairview Heights and Gayla (Mike) Eberhart of West Frankfort, and a very special sister-in-law, Barbara Conley of Marion. Surviving nephews and nieces are Karl D. (Lisa) Conley, Jim Conley and Carol Lyn (Reese) Conley-Leeman all of Marion. Cindy (Larry) Dahl of Russellville, MO, Holly (Kenny) Rauk of Red Bud, David (of Belleville) and Don (Debbie) Pyszka of O'Fallon. Kim Logan, and Todd (Maureen) Saunders of the Kansas City area. Glenn (Gina) Eberhart of Nashville and Amanda (Charles) Eberhart - McGhee of Hazelwood, MO. Great niece Conley Leeman, Godchild, great nephew, Robert Leeman, Godchild and namesake, and many more grand and great-grandnieces and nephews. Uncle Buck was a member for over 50 years at the First United Methodist Church of Carbondale. He was a 32nd degree Mason and Shriner, as well as a member of the Elks and American Legion of Carbondale. Bob was the Plumbing Foreman for Southern Illinois University from 1959 until his retirement in 1988. He was a member of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters for over 50 years. Uncle Buck was an avid golfer and member of the Jackson Country Club for nearly 40 years. His golf group enjoyed cards when not on the links. He and close friend Donn Carsrud made wine for decades to the great enjoyment of all their friends and family. They raced Flying Scots at the Crab Orchard Sailing Club. Beginning in the early 1970's Honey and Uncle Buck maintained a vacation home on Sanibel Island, FL which was freely shared with friends and family from. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday at the First United Methodist Church of Carbondale. The Funeral Service will immediately follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Rev. Alan Rhein officiating. Interment will be at Rose Hill cemetery in Marion. Memorial donations to the First United Methodist Church will be accepted by Meredith Funeral Home.



Service:



11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 21, 2013



First United Methodist Church Carbondale, Illinois







Visitation:



9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 21, 2013



First United Methodist Church Carbondale, Illinois