Robert D. Tarr

Marion- Robert D. Tarr, 78, of Marion, formerly of Keensburg, passed away at 7:00 PM, Friday, October 14, 2005 at his home surrounded by his family. Robert was born on May 21, 1927 in Wheeler, IL to Vern & Vada Bell (Shoemaker) Tarr. He married his wife of fifty-four years, Ettna Jane McDuffee on August 16, 1951 in Bogota, IL. She survives of Marion. Bob retired in 1985 as a bookkeeping managers assistant at Dowell Chemical in Mt. Carmel. He then worked another five years as a bookkeeper for Don Keenard in Mt. Carmel. Robert enjoyed activity and continued to mow lawns (he rode his riding lawn mower everywhere), work farms (he could shuck 160 bushel of corn by hand), and repair small engines. In his spare time, he enjoyed deer hunting and fishing on the Wabash River. He was musically inclined and enjoyed singing old hymns and playing the harmonica. Robert was an active member of Bellmont Christian Church in Bellmont. He served as an elder as well as superintendent. He even found time to run for city council and served as mayor and trustee in Keensburg from 1995-2000. He worked hard so that he could enjoy family vacations out west. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. SURVIVORS: Wife- Ettna Tarr- Marion Daughter & son in law- Linda & Virgil Barthelemy- Salem Daughter & son in law- Jane & Marc Bagwell- Marion Daughter & son in law- Gail & Jerry Hixon- Claremont, IL Son & daughter in law- Jeffrey & JoAnn Tarr- Mt. Carmel Twelve Grandchildren & spouses: Ken & Kari Barthelemy- Iuka, IL Michelle Barthelemy- Salem Keith Barthelemy- Salem Danny & Jaimie Bagwell- Quincy, OH Steven Bagwell (stationed @ Ft. Bliss, TX) & wife Cassidy- Creal Springs Hannah Hixon- Claremont Caleb Hixon- Claremont Amanda Staley- Fairfield Ashley Tarr- Mt. Carmel Whitney Tarr- Mt. Carmel Daye Dial- Mt. Carmel Joey Dial- Grayville Three Great-Grandchildren: Dakota Barthelemy- Iuka Brooklyn Bagwell- Quincy, OH Schentyl Bagwell- Creal Springs Brother & sister in law- Kendall & Zana Tarr- Newton, IL Brother & sister in law- Howard & Connie Tarr- Newton, IL Brother & sister in law- Richard & Roseanne Tarr- Charleston, IL Sister & brother in law- Marcella & Eugene Street- Wheeler, IL Sister- Margaret Schultz- Effingham Sister- Virginia Kuhring- Effingham Many nieces & nephews He was preceded in death by his parents, brother; Donald Tarr, and sister; Doris Jean Tarr. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM, Wednesday, October 19, 2005 at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion. Rev. Morris Burkett will officiate. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion. Visitation will be from 5-8:00 PM, Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggested to Hospice of Southern Illinois, The American Heart Association, or American Diabetes Foundation and will be accepted at the funeral home. For more information or to sign the memorial guest register; please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com.