Robert "Bob" LAUR, 87, of Ina died at 3:10 a.m. Monday, May 1, 2006, at the Mt. Vernon Health Care Center in Mt. Vernon.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 3, at the Ina Free Will Baptist Church with the Rev. David SHORES and the Rev. Brad RYAN officiating. Burial with military rites by American Legion Post 141 of Mt. Vernon will be in the Kirk Cemetery in Ina. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Johnston Funeral Home in Ina. For those who wish, memorials may be made to the Ina Free Will Baptist Church or to the Free Will Baptist Bible College.

Bob was born May 8, 1918, in Waltonville, the son of Joseph and Mary (BAIN) LAUR.

On Aug. 24, 1940, he married Evelyn (COLE), and she preceded him in death on Aug. 11, 2001.

Bob was a World War II Army veteran, serving from July 14, 1943, to Jan. 18, 1946. He was a sergeant and served in the Pacific Theatre for 18 months. He was wounded in action and received three Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart.

Bob retired from his job as postmaster of the Ina Post Office.

He was a longtime member of the Ina Free Will Baptist Church, where he was the senior deacon. Over the years, he had served the church in many capacities, from treasurer to Sunday school superintendent to Sunday school teacher, deacon and janitor.

Bob is survived by several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews and by several cousins, and by his church family, whom he dearly loved.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Evelyn LAUR; two sisters, Lillian HAYSE and Lou WALKER; and five brothers, Russell, Hobart, Arthur, Roy and Joseph.

Source: Benton Evening News, Benton IL
Date: Tuesday, May 2, 2006
Submitted by JoAnn McGhee

Source: Register-News, Mt Vernon IL
Date: Tuesday, May 2, 2006
Submitted by: Janice Staples