Robert Anderson

Robert Newton Anderson

Age 60 of Wichita, Kansas and formerly Wilmington, Illinois, passed away Sunday May 29, 2011 at Royal Terrace Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Olathe, Kansas.

Born August 24, 1950 in Joliet, Bob is a son of Charles Newton Anderson of Wilmington and the late Ruby "Helen" Meredith-Wendell. He was raised and educated in Wilmington and was a 1968 graduate of Wilmington High School. In 1972, Bob was drafted into the United States Army and served three years until his honorable discharged with a National Defense Service Medal. In 1977 Bob moved to Wichita, Kansas and was employed by Boeing Corporation for twenty years and Spirit Aero Systems for four years, where he was an Aircraft Mechanic until his retirement in 2010. Bob was a former Deacon and Elder of New Life Fellowship Church in Wichita and a member of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society, where he won numerous fishing tournaments. He was a great fan of the Chicago Bulls, Bears, Blackhawks and Cubs; loved playing and coaching basketball and enjoyed restoring muscle cars when he was young. Bob can be remembered as an excellent carpenter and handyman, as well as an avid fisherman and outdoor enthusiast.

Survivors include his father Charles Newton Anderson of Wilmington; two daughters: Jill Anne (fiancAC. Mike Halleckson) Anderson of Lee Summit, Missouri and Jodi (Troy) Wolf of Overland Park, Kansas; granddaughter Rachel Grey Wolf; his former wife of 39 years and mother of his children: Catherine Anne Anderson of Wichita; brother William Ray Anderson of Wilmington, three sisters: Bonnie Carol Tyler and Jamie Colene Wendell-Adcock, both of Coal City and Monica Lee Wendell of Marseilles; step-father Tom Wendell of Coal City; special friend Deanna Gleason of Wichita, Army and spiritual buddy Steve May of Topeka, Kansas, longtime fishing buddy Don Burden and friend and brother-in-law Steve Harmuth, both of Wichita and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his son Jason Robert Anderson; sister Debra Colleen Anderson-O'Rourke and mother Ruby Helen Wendell.

Visitation and Video Tribute will be held on Friday June 3, 2011 between the hours of 4:00PM and 8:00PM at Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. Funeral services will follow Saturday June 4th at 10:00AM in the funeral home with Reverend Nate Manzo from New Hope Presbyterian Church in Coal City officiating. Burial with full military honors provided by the Malcolm J. Mayo VFW Color Guard and the United States Army will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Wilmington.

Pallbearers will be Bob's son-in-law: Troy Wolf, future son-in-law: Mike Halleckson, step-father: Tom Wendell, nephews: Chris Tyler and Damon Ward and friend Curt Swick. Honorary pallbearers will be: Bob's brother: William Ray Anderson, brother-in-law: Steve Harmuth and friends: Steve May and Don Burdon.

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. (815/476-2181)