80-year-old Robert “Bob” Eugene Elliott of Flora, was born to Cecil and Carrie Elliott, at home in Equality on January 29, 1940 and died at his home on January 12. Bob, remembered by friends and family as a truly good, caring, thoughtful and encouraging person, spent his younger years in Equality.
He was predeceased by his parents, a sister, Betty Christian, and two nephews, Mark Hartman and Don Elliott, He is survived by a sister, M. Lovene Hartman of Florissant, Missouri; two nieces, Dawn Hartman of Palos Verdes, CA and Sandra Simmons of Carthage, Missouri, and a nephew, David Elliott of Carlinville, IL and some great grand nephews. In addition to his family, he is survived by special friends, Jason Collins of Carpentersville, IL , Dalton and Mason Hungate, of Flora.
Bob attended Equality Township High School and was named Valedictorian of his graduating class. He enrolled at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale as a business major, but after a couple of years, he wasn’t sure he wanted to major in business. He left school, returned home to live with his sister Lovene, where he worked for International Shoe Company. He volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army, where he served his country as a military policeman stationed in Germany during the Viet Nam Conflict. He decided he wanted to teach business classes and returned to college on the GI bill to finish his degree. He earned his bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Il. He took a teaching job in 1968, teaching business and accounting classes at Flora High School, where he spent decades encouraging young people to believe in themselves and to learn courses that could serve them as a profession. Former students remember Mr. Elliott warmly as one who truly believed in them and one who often brought donuts to class. He was a regular ticket taker at Flora High School events, sponsor of student clubs such as Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and a generous contributor to many projects to benefit student groups. For many years, Bob also taught night classes for Frontier Community College. Following retirement as a long-time educator, Bob became a courier for Brissenden Law Office and, more recently, Taylor Law Office.
Bob’s special interests were participating in Civil War reenactments, walking, weightlifting, horses, dogs – especially “L.J.”, tennis, spending time and holidays with friends and neighbors and generously helping people and causes. He loved classic television shows, like Gunsmoke and I Love Lucy. He enjoyed many holidays and good times with the families of his good friends, Barbara Lamb and Roberta Schnepper.
Bob appreciated the concerns, services, prayers, and love expressed to him by his caretakers, Heather Hower, Heidi Lewis, and McKenzie Hower; Pastor Judy Vidakovich, Flora First United Methodist Church, Dr. Brandon Cycholl, the Clay County Health Department Hospice team, Sara Kimmell, Paralegal of Taylor Law Office, Mike Hungate, Dina May Hungate and his other caring friends, of which there were many.
In accordance with Bob’s wishes, his body was cremated. Remains will be interred beside his mother and father in Equality. Graveside services will be announced and occur at a later date, with Pastor Judy Vidakovich officiating. Frank and Bright Funeral Home are overseeing arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be designated to the First United Methodist Church in Flora, IL or Fur a Good Paws, a not-for-profit animal adoption organization in Flora, IL, and sent to the Frank and Bright Funeral Home, 500 N. Main Street, Flora, IL 62839.