Robert Franklin Fear (88) of Effingham, formerly of Newton

Robert Franklin Fear, 88, of Effingham, formerly of Newton, died at 1:17am Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham.

Funeral services will be held at 11am Saturday, April 22 at First Baptist Church in Newton with Rev. Stephen Willis officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Newton with full military rites by Jasper Post #20 American Legion. Visitation will be held two hours before the service. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church in Newton. Arrangements are under the care of Meyer Funeral Home in Newton.

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Robert was born on January 30, 1929, in Newton, Illinois, the son of Ira Franklin and Arca Doris (Field) Fear. He married Mary Jean Cruce on April 17, 1952, in Marion, Kentucky. Robert graduated from Newton Community High School in 1947, and from Lockyear Business College in Evansville, Indiana. He owned and operated Newton Wholesale Company in Newton for over 50 years. Robert was a Korean War Veteran, serving from October 22, 1948, until his honorable discharge on August 21, 1952. He served as a Staff Sergeant in United States Air Force and was stationed in the Philippines. Robert was one of the founders of the Jasper County Boys and Girls Park and had served as a board member. He enjoyed watching three generations of his family play there. Robert was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church in Newton, Illinois, where he served on various boards. As a strong advocate of public education, he served on the Jasper County School Board as well as the Regional Office of Education Board. Robert was a longtime Newton City Council Board member who at one time served as an interim mayor. He was also a volunteer of the Jasper County Senior Citizens Center. He was a proud supporter and advocate of “EVERYTHING NEWTON”. Robert was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He was very proud of his family and enjoyed time spent with them.

Robert is survived by: Wife of 65 years – Mary Jean Fear of Effingham, Illinois; Children – Stephen (Terry) Fear of Newton, Illinois, Gregory Scott (Kandy) Fear of Hopkinsville, Kentucky and Robert Bradley (Connie) Fear of Charleston, Illinois; 8 Grandchildren; 3 Great Grandchildren; and Brother – Keith A. (Nancy) Fear of Newton, Illinois.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Phyllis Fuget.