Robert E. (Bob) Stephens was born September 1,1938 in East St. Louis, Illinois and died April 21, 2025. He married Clara Maxine Leonard at Holy Angels Church in East St. Louis, Illinois on November 22, 1961. She preceded him in death on January 25, 2019.

Bob was a resident of Collinsville, Illinois, previously from Caseyville, Illinois. He attended Caseyville grade school and was a member in the school band. He went to Collinsville High school graduating in 1956 and served on the high school reunion committee.  He attended Southwestern Illinois College and many technical schools. He was a Cub Scout and later served as a Cubmaster. He served in the Missouri Air National Guard for six years.

Bob was employed by Central & Southern Truck Lines, Vandalia Bus Lines and Cassens Transport Company as Director of Management Information Systems. He was honored in Several "Who's Who in the Computer Industry and Business Leaders."

He was an elected Trustee of the Village of Caseyville, serving on the Planning Commission, and  a Caseyville Library board member and president.

Bob was treasurer and president of the Caseyville Cemetery Association for more than forty-five years, and also a member of the Greenwood Cemetery committee. Bob wrote two books "A Walk Through Time" and "A Walk Through Time Sequel" with all proceeds donated to the Caseyville Cemetery Association to pay for road improvements.

Bob volunteered at the Collinsville History Museum and was a member of the Friends of the Collinsville History Museum, serving two terms as president and awarded "Volunteer of the Year." He served on the Museum Board of Directors as vice-president.

He also served several years on the Collinsville Preservation Commission, and later an honorary member. He was a member of the Griswold Family Association.

Bob was a lifelong member of St. Stephen Church, where he served as altar boy, trustee, church council, finance council, chairman of the Voigt Hall financial committee, and more than twenty years as Eucharistic Minister. He also served the Caseyville Methodist Church as a historian. He also attended Mother of Perpetual Help with this family.

Bob and Maxine enjoyed camping, traveling to forty-nine states, Canada, and cruises to Mexico and the Caribbean Islands. Bob was awarded a certificate of achievement from the "All States Club" in May of 2021 when he checked off his 50Th state. He also enjoyed a trip to Europe where he visited his German ancestral village and other countries.

He was always very proud of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, attending their sports activities and musical events.

Bob was the family historian and loved Civil War history, collecting many Civil War relics. As a volunteer, he took his collection to many schools where he displayed his collection and presented on Civil War history to countless students. He also gave many historical talks to organizations and  libraries.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond E. and Genevieve Delatine Stephens, his brother Raymond L. Stephens and in-laws Frazier and Marie Williams Leonard and Marlene Campbell.

He is survived by his children, Michael (Lisa) Stephens, Lisa (David) Wentzel, and Mark (Katherine) Stephens. His grandchildren Cody (Kristen) Stephens, Jacob (Emma) Stephens, Allison Stephens, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew (Mia) Wentzel, step grandchildren Lilly Stein, Louis Stein, Leo Stein, and great grandchildren, Virginia Rae Stephens and Harrison Wentzel. Sister-in-law Mary Stephens, brother-in-law, Robert Campbell. Nephews Ron (Laurie) Stephens, Jeff (Lisa) Campbell, Susan Campbell Whiting,  and great nieces, great nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, 2025 at Barry Wilson Funeral Home in Maryville, IL.

Funeral mass will be 10 a.m. on Monday, April 28, 2025 at St. Stephen Catholic Church, 901 S. Main Street, Caseyville, IL 62232 with Father Harold Fisher celebrant. Burial with military honors will be in Caseyville Cemetery, Caseyville, IL.

Memorials preferred to St. Stephen Catholic Church, Collinsville History Museum, Caseyville Library, or Caseyville Methodist Church.