On the morning of July 19, 2023, Robert L. (Bob) Brown, 86, of Rantoul passed away at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

Funeral services will be 12:00 Noon Monday, July 24, 2023 at the First Baptist Church, 401 Glenwood Drive in Rantoul with Pastor Dan DeWitt officiating. A private burial service will be in Glen Cemetery, Paxton. Baier Family Funeral Services, Paxton is assisting the family with arrangements.

Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon before the funeral service at the church.

Bob was born January 11, 1937, in Gibson City the son of George H. and Dorothy Smith Brown. His parents relocated to Paxton, IL in 1950 and Bob finished his schooling in Paxton and graduated in 1955. He married Arliss "Joyce" Mueller April 20, 1958. She preceded him in death December 29, 2022.

Bob worked for Standard Oil Co. and Amoco Oil Co. from 1956-1990.  In 1973, he became the owner of Brown's Amoco in Rantoul until his retirement in 1990. He served on the Amoco Advisory Board in 1988.

Bob served in the National Guard from 1959-1965.  In Paxton he was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church where he served as treasurer, deacon and Sunday school teacher. In the Rantoul Baptist church, he was on the deacon board.  He enjoyed all sports, playing and watching his children and grandchildren.  His most competitive sport was ping pong and he played in several area tournaments and the senior ping pong Olympics in Arizona where he and his wife spent the winter months. Preceding Bob in death were his parents, wife, brothers Leroy Brown, Clarence Brown, Ernie Brown and Eugene Brown, and sisters Flossie Mae (Jim) Brucker, Edna Marie Anderson and Evelyn Christiansen.

Surviving are his children, Laura (Paul) Henningsen of Mesa, AZ, Brian (Virginia) Brown of Rantoul and Susan Howie of Gilbert, AZ.  Also surviving are 9 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Rantoul. Memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.baierfuneralservices.com.