Robert L. "Bob" McMillan

Carterville-ROBERT L. BOB McMILLAN, age 85, of Carterville, passed away at 5:30pm on Monday, January 3, 2011 at his residence. Robert was born in Herrin on November 29, 1925, the son of Hallie D. and Donna (Beltz) McMillan. He married Erma Lee Furlow in Piggott, AR on August 24, 1946. She preceded him in death on January 5, 2010. Bob was a WWII Navy Veteran who drove the landing gear during the south Pacific invasion. While in the Navy, he developed a passion for flying and actually obtained his pilots license after he was discharged from the Navy. After the war he worked as a heating and air installer for McNeill & Dugger Heating and Air and then later for Gallagher Heating and Air. He later bought Ideal Heating and Air and co-owned that until eventually selling it. Ideal became HS&G and Bob stayed on with them until his retirement. He was a 50 + year member of the plumbers and pipefitters union local #551. Mr. McMillan was a longtime active member of the First United Methodist Church in Herrin. He was a jack of all trades and could be relied upon by the Pastor and congregation to fix anything around the church. Bob was mechanically inclined and was a former stock car racer and even once built a boat. He was a member of the Marion VFW and enjoyed golfing with his wife- Erma Lee in his spare time. Survivors include his daughter- Linda Colombo of Marion, IL Son- Allen and Carol McMillan of Herrin, IL Two grandchildren- Kelli Bryant of Pinellas Park, FL Joe McMillan of Herrin, IL One great grandchild- Alec Bryant of Pinellas Park, FL Sister- Betty and Bill Bell of Peoria, IL Brother- A.C. McMillan of Nebraska Sister in law- Evelyn Martin of Columbia, SC He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and son-in-law- Fred Colombo. Funeral services will be held at 11am on Thursday, January 6, 2011 at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin with Rev. Ed Hoke officiating. Burial will follow at Herrin City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9am until time of service on Thursday at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home. For those who prefer, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Envelopes will be available and accepted at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home; 201 S. 13th Street; Herrin, IL 62948.