Robert 'Bob' Eugene Lyerla
Robert “Bob” E. Lyerla, 81, was born on May 24, 1938, at his home in Jonesboro. He died on Oct. 26, 2019, at his home in Jonesboro.
He is survived by his wife, Judy Lyerla of Jonesboro; his children, Marci (Greg) Malnar of Anna and Bobby (Rachel) Lyerla of Baldwin, Md.; grandchildren Les Fields, Abbey (Will) Ramos, Ashley Holshouser, Katelyn Malnar, Andrew Malnar, Baylee Lyerla, Maggie Lyerla and Samantha Lyerla; greatgrandchildren, Benjamin Ramos, Bella Ramos, Elliott Malnar and Brianna Ramos; nieces; other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Allen “Gene” Lyerla and Myrtle Gray Lyerla; and his sister, Mona Sides-Smith.
Mr. Lyerla was born in Jonesboro. He spent most of his childhood in West Frankfort. He played basketball on a championship team in high school.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He worked for Aurora Pump from 1958 to 1975, except for three years of military service in the Army.
In 1962, he married Judy Schoeberlein in Manneheim, Germany. They were married for 57 years and had two children.
In 1989, Mr. Lyerla co-founded Municipal Equipment Company Inc. The company is located in St. Louis.
During the 1970s and 1980s, he worked for the Anna-Jonesboro Water Commission and served as a volunteer firefighter and fire chief for the Jonesboro Fire Department.
He was on the championship “Memphis in May” cooking team: The Great Boars of Fire.
Mr. Lyerla was a member of the Elks Lodge, the Moose Lodge and the Phoenix Club. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion, the American Water Works Association, AWWA, and the Water Environment Federation, WEF.
He was a member of Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church in Anna.
He loved to fish and enjoyed many fishing trips. He loved to travel and he loved cruising. He had numerous hobbies.
Mr. Lyerla loved to have a beer and share stories with everyone he met. He never met a stranger. Bob was known for these famous words: “Just one more!”
Funeral services were at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro, with Pastor Mark Hasty and Pastor Christine Erdmann officiating.
Interment was in the Alto Pass Cemetery. Graveside military rites were conducted by Carroll P. Foster Post. No. 3455 of the VFW in Anna and the Illinois Army National Guard military honors team of Marion.
Memorials can be made to Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.
Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro was in charge of arrangements.