Robert E. "Bob" Zalaker

Robert E. "Bob" Zalaker, 77 of Loda died at 11:28 p.m. Friday, July 30, 2010, at Provena Covenant Medical Center, Urbana. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Loda with Rev. Daniel A. Olson officiating. Burial will be in Glen Cemetery, Paxton. Visitation will be from 4 – 7 p.m. Monday at Baier Family Funeral Service, 406 E. Pells Street, Paxton and at the church on Tuesday one hour before the service. Bob was born Sept. 28, 1932 in Memphis, Tenn. the son of John and Irene Little Zalaker. He married Marian T. Swanson Aug. 10, 1957. She died Jan. 15, 1984. He married Sandra Wilkens Sternes Sept. 9, 1989 in Buckley. She survives. Also surviving are four sons, John Zalaker of Loda, Michael (Wendi) Zalaker of Gibson City, Bobby Zalaker of Buckley, David Zalaker of Paxton; three daughters, Liz (Robert) Laurie of Paxton, Cindy (Rex) Krumwiede of Mahomet, Melissa (Eric) Kivisto of Spring Lake, Michigan; 15 grandchildren; two step grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; six step great-grandchildren and a sister, Carol (Ed) Dinkins of Hot Springs, Ark. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Mary Ann and a step daughter, Robin Sternes. Bob grew up in Walnut Ridge, Ark., graduated from St. Paul High School in Pocahontas, Ark. and attended Arkansas State University. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 15 years. During that time he was stationed in Europe, Colorado and Chanute Air Force Base. After his years in the Air Force, he worked for Ag services and retired from Civil Service at Chanute Air Force Base. He was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Loda. He enjoyed fishing in professional tournaments during the 70's and 80's and was awarded the Joe Jacobson Memorial. He was a honeybee farmer and enjoyed fishing, watching wildlife in his backyard, football and spending time with his grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Loda or a charity of the donor's choice.