Robert W. Karrer, 95, of Collinsville, IL, passed away on January 27, 2026, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, IL.

He was born April 18, 1930, in Granite City, IL, to the late Otto Karrer Jr. and Ethel (nee Brinkhoff) Karrer. Robert married Phyllis (nee Hott) Karrer on May 4, 1957, and she preceded him in death.

Robert was a 1948 graduate of Collinsville Township High School and worked at Pete Schmackers Restaurant and Soda Fountain.  Robert enlisted and honorably served his country in the United States Navy from 1948 to 1952 on the USS Roanoke.  Following his service, he worked on Main Street in Collinsville for over 50 years.  He worked as a bank director for Home Federal Savings in Loan, was employed at the former Ed Holzweg Insurance Agency, and eventually acquired ownership and became the sole operator of the former Karrer Insurance Agency.

He was deeply involved in the Collinsville community and was a lifetime member of St. John United Church of Christ in Collinsville. Robert was also a member of Kiwanis International as local President and Lieutenant Governor.

He was a life member of the Collinsville Masonic Lodge 712. He was also a life member of Scottish Rite, Valley of Southern Illinois, and Ainad Shriner of East St. Louis beginning in 1953. He was a sixty-year member of the Royal Order of Jesters, Southern Illinois Court 86.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Robert was preceded in death by two sisters, Marjorie Meier and Betty Evers; his brothers-in-law, Bernie Evers, Virgil Kassing, and Marion Hott; a sister-in-law, Deanna Hott; niece, Brenda Gasser; and nephew, Todd Evers.

He is survived by his sister-in-law, Frances Kassing; brother-in-law, Louie Meier; eight nieces and nephews, Rich Meier, Randy (Debbie) Meier, Ron (Peggy) Meier, Ruthann (Jim) Denson, Linda (Timothy) Lauth, Timothy (Susan) Evers, Steven (Teresa) Kassing, Marc (Judy) Kassing, Leslee Kassing; a cousin, Peter (Ursula) Karrer; and godsons, Thomas Karrer, Adrien Karrer and Karolina Zeder of Switzerland; as well as numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 9, 2026 with a Jesters Rose Ceremony at 6:13 p.m. followed by a Masonic service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will also be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 10 at Barry Wilson Funeral Home in Maryville, IL. Funeral services will follow at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, being officiated by Rev. Pat Campbell. Burial with military honors will follow at St. John Cemetery in Collinsville, IL.

Memorials are suggested to St. John United Church of Christ, St. John's Community Care, or Shriner's Children's Hospital. Memorials will be received at the visitation or may be mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.