Robert L. "Bob" Behrman (92) of Effingham

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Published on June 30 2020 4:55 pm

Robert L. “Bob” Behrman, 92, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Monday, June 29, 2020 at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 3 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham. Burial will be in St. Anthony Cemetery in Effingham with military rites. Visitation will be held 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Memorials may be made to St. Anthony Booster Club or St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.

Robert was born on June 27, 1928, in Effingham, IL, the son of Louis and Lora (Smith) Behrman. He married Marcella T. Gebben on October 25, 1952 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. Bob served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from April 1951 to August 1952. Bob was awarded a Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Campaign Stars, a Combat Infantryman Badge, an Army of Occupation Medal from Japan, as well as a United Nation Service Medal. He was a member of the Effingham American Legion Post 120 for 67 years, a life member of the Effingham V.F.W. Post 1769, and participated in the Honor Flight in October of 2014. He was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, a life member of the Effingham Knights of Columbus Council 665 as well as the Effingham 4th Degree Assembly. Bob was employed as an accountant for Borg-Warner and Fedders Corporation for 30 years. He was elected and served 14 years as Douglas Township clerk. During this time, he was elected and served on the Township Officers of Illinois Board of Directors for many years. Bob was also elected as a county clerk, recorder and election authority. At the state level, Bob was elected and served as President of the Illinois Officer Association over county clerks and recorders. He also served on the Illinois State Board of Elections Advisory Committee. As a county clerk and recorder, Bob microfilmed the old record books. The film would be stored so as to protect the records from fire and damage. He created a computer tracking system of real estate documents and indexed it to identify all real estate property in the county. He also computerized birth, death, and marriage records. He retired after serving 20 years with the great County of Effingham. Bob also served as the Treasurer of the St. Anthony Booster Club for about 10 years and enjoyed volunteering at the Cross Foundation since its beginning. Bob was also a dedicated husband and father.

Bob is survived by his wife, Marcella T. Behrman of Effingham; sons, Robert J. Behrman of Effingham and Ronald L. (Kathleen Gillund) of Oak Forest, IL; sisters-in-law, Sylvia (Roy) Hartke and Viola Green; and brothers-in-law, Richard Gebben and Andrew (Patricia) Gebben.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Louise Webster; brothers, Richard “Smokey” Behrman and James Behrman; brothers-in-law, Quirinus Gebben, Steve Gebben, Ray Gebben, Eugene Gebben, and Charles Gebben.