Robert D. "Bob" Bradley

August 4, 1924 — May 5, 2013

Marion – Robert D. Bradley, 88, passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 11:05 at his home. Robert D. Bradley was born August 4, 1924, in Effingham, Illinois, to Esther and Arnold Bradley. While in school, he took the last name of his stepfather, Earl Burnett, and used his own middle name Donald and was known as Don Burnett. After his high school graduation, he joined the US Navy and served on the tanker ship US Platt in the South Pacific until World War II ended. He was active as an ensign in the Navy Reserve until 1959. When the war ended, Bob returned to Vandalia, Illinois, and then enrolled at Southern Illinois University; he graduated in 1949 with a degree in Business Administration. While at SIU, he met the love of his life, Barbara Jean Rodd. They were married on August 28, 1949, at the Aldersgate Church on South Market in Marion. Their reception was held at the 907 North Market Street home of the bride’s parents Leonard and Kate Rodd. Bob’s professional life included working in real estate and insurance along with his father-in-law Leonard Rodd and brother-in-law Dee Rodd. In 1972 Bob founded Bob Bradley Insurance that later became The Insurance House, which today is owned by his son Clay. Bob believed that work was important and there was no time for his retirement. He continued to work in business until two weeks before his death for a total of 64 years. Bob was known as the man with a firm handshake along with his suit and tie. Outside of his business work, Bob spent many hours working with the boy scouts, the Methodist Youth Fellowship and the senior citizens of First United Methodist Church, where he was an active member. He drove the church van for many years each Sunday morning. Bob was very community minded and innovative. It was his idea to create the Lion Club Honors Day Award at the Marion High School. Bob organized and initiated the first Graduation Spree at MHS. He also organized the first golf tournament, “The Closed Open,” as a fund-raising event for Hearts Helping Hearts in which only former open heart patients participated. Bob started the Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award to honor citizens who had made a difference in our community. Later, the Chamber recognized Bob for his many contributions by naming him in 1981 as the Citizen of the Year, honoring him at the Mayor’s Breakfast in 1997, and awarding him in 1998 with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Bob was known to be a willing helper behind the scenes as well as helping the less fortunate in a way that left their pride and dignity intact. In fact, most of those he helped never were aware who their benefactor had been. That was exactly the way Bob preferred it. Bob had a variety of interests which included his flowers and yard, his white-flocked Christmas tree in his front window, his “Aunt Maude” sayings projected on his garage door, deep frying for all who visited his Lake of Egypt lake home (after all, he had been the chief cook on the US Naval tanker ship US Platt), water skiing (even at age 75 in the same South Pacific waters that he had served the military), and running nightly with his son Doug. Family came first and included each of his three grandchildren’s many school functions and sports. Bob leaves behind his wife of 64 years, Barbara and his two sons Douglas R. Bradley and wife Lareva, Clay A. Bradley and wife Andrea, two grandsons--Andrew W. Bradley and Robert J. Bradley of Marion, IL, and granddaughter Natalie Bradley Winn and husband Ryan of Brentwood, TN. He has two half brothers Charles Burnett and wife Charlotte of Naples, FL, and Danny Burnett of Glen Carbon, IL. He also leaves behind brother-in-law Rodger Rodd and wife Beth of Marion, IL, sister-in-law Geri Robbins and husband Chet of Davenport, IA, sister-in-law Sidney Minner of Lexington, KY, along with niece Patricia Dockery and Mike of Arlington Heights, IL, nephew Richard Robbins and Bridget of Omaha, NE, niece Robin Pankey and Robert of Marion, IL, nephew Jim Rodd and Tamra of St. Petersburg, FL, nephew Bill Rodd and Carla, of Atlanta, GA, niece Kim Rodd Holmes and Gary of Creal Springs, IL, nephew Chris Minner and Carol of Lewisville, N.C., niece Kate Minner of Carey, N.C., nephew Glen Burnett of Washington, D.C., and nephew David Burnett of New York City. His brother-in-law Dee L. Rodd and wife Ruth and brother-in-law Don Minner preceded him in death. Services will be Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 11 A.M. at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home with Rev. Victor Long officiating. Military rites will be presented by Marion VFW’s Post #1301, American Legion Post #147 and members of the National Guard Detail Unit. Visitation will be Saturday from 9 A.M. until the time of service at the funeral home. For those who prefer memorials may be made to The First United Methodist of Marion, IL, Hospice of Southern Illinois and to the Greater St. Louis Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association. Envelopes will be available and accepted at Mitchell Hughes Funeral Home, 800 North Market Street, Marion, Illinois 62959. For additional information or to sign the guest memorial register please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com.

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Robert D. "Bob" Bradley

August 4, 1924 — May 5, 2013

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