Robert Lee "Bob" Tucker, age 68, of Greenwood, IN, formerly of Creal Springs, Marion, IL area, passed away Monday, March 13, 2006, at his home in Greenwood, IN. Bob and his wife, Helen, moved to the Creal Springs, Marion, IL area, known as the Lake of Egypt, in June of 1982, living there until their recent move to Greenwood, IN, in February of 2006, to be near their family.

Bob, as he was known to many, was born on May 5, 1937, in West Salem, IL, the son of Walter Alexander and Lucille Margaret (Luthe) Tucker. Early in his lifetime, at the age of 16, he began working for Nix Brothers' International Harvester Dealership of Olney, IL as a parts counter salesman. He could not live with his family, who at this time was living in Parkersburg, IL, near Olney, because he had no means of transportation. He wanted to continue working at Nix Brothers and attend East Richland High School in Olney, so he lived with his sister, Joretta, until he graduated from high school on May 29, 1956. After graduation, he lived with his sister, Ann, until he was united in marriage to Helen Marie Windland, on April 17, 1960, in Clay City, IL

Together they have shared the last forty-five plus years of marriage. After his marriage, he made his home in Olney, IL, with his wife and two children until 1967. It was then, his full time working career, throughout the Indiana, Illinois, Missouri areas began, with a move to Mt. Vernon, IN, to begin working for Hastings Equipment Company, as their parts manager. About two years later, he began working for Keck Motor Company of Mt. Vernon, IN as their parts manager and body shop foreman. After five years with Keck Motors, he worked for Hocker Power Brake of Evansville, IN, as their "on the road" sales representative for auto and truck parts. His territory was Southern Illinois. After their girls were married, they moved from Mt. Vernon, IN to the Lake Egypt area in 1982.

Shortly after his move to IL, he began working for the Jim Wilson Company of Cape Girardeau, MO, as their "on the road" sales representative, dealing with the area's trucking companies, selling heavy duty truck parts. He later began working for Heavy Duty Fleet Parts Company, of Marion IL, as their "on the road" sales representative dealing with the area's trucking companies. He worked for Heavy Duty Fleet Parts until the company was sold and he was laid off. He then began working, for a very short time, for Hardy Brake, of Evansville, IN. Later, he began working for Cape Tractor Trailer Company of Cape Girardeu, MO, as their "on the road"sales representative, dealing with the area's trucking companies. He remained there until the time of his retirement on April 30, 2002.

As busy as he had always been, retirement was hard to adjust to, and Bob soon began working part time for Freedom Transport Company of West Frankfort, IL in their parts department, until his health forced him to retire.

His church membership was with First Baptist Church of Marion, IL. He always loved older trucks and automobiles and had envisioned restoring vehicles, after his retirement. Though he always was working, during most of his lifetime, his family was always the center of his life and interest. He kept up on all their activities, enjoying the many times they all would gather together. Now, those left behind, will always cherish the many memories, that have been created over the years.

With his passing, he is survived by his wife, Helen Tucker of Greenwood, IN; two daughters and son-in-law, Diana Mercer of New Whiteland, IN, Jeanette and Dennis Hardy of Valrico, FL; grandson, Robert Hardy and his wife, Yvonne, of Indianapolis, IN; three step-grandchildren, Alexis Bohannon, Jacob Lawrence and Courtney Lawrence, all of Indianapolis, IN; two sisters and brother-in-law, Ann Mowrer of Minerva, OH, and Betty and Harold Lame of Springfield, IL, several nieces, nephews, other extended family and many longtime friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Joretta Thomas.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)