Robert J. Deters

Robert J. Deters passed from this life after a long bout with dementia at Willow Breeze Hospice in Mattoon on Father’s Day, June 21, 2026 after a long bout with Dementia.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, June 27, 2026 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Lillyville. Burial will be in the church cemetery with graveside military rights. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm Friday at the church with a Knights of Columbus rosary and Fourth Degree service to follow. Memorial donations may be given to the charity of the donor’s choice or masses. Arrangements are in care of Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham.

He was born at his parent’s home in Cumberland County on September 20, 1933, the second son of Ray and Laura Deters. After graduation from Teutopolis High School in 1951, he worked for a short time before enlisting in the United States Navy on February 17, 1953. He served honorably, seeing many overseasports on the aircraft carrier the USS Kearsarge and was discharged on February 13, 1957.

Robert met the love of his life Rita Westjohn at the Bishop Creek Catholic Church picnic playing “buzz”. The two were wed on August 22, 1959, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Sigel, Illinois. Bob was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lillyville where he was a member of the St. Joseph Men’s Society and served over 20 years as a parish trustee. He was also a 3rd and 4th Degree member of the Teutopolis Knights of Columbus Council 2874, and Teutopolis American Legion Post 924. Bob spent many years working for Reasor Corporation doing residential home construction. In 1983 he started his own construction business and continued building houses, including several for his children, until his retirement in 1998.

Bob and Rita had 6 children, all of whom survive. James (Diane Carie) Deters of Tolono, Alan (KrisKruger) Deters of Teutopolis, Gary (Vicki Beckman) Deters of Teutopolis, Greg (Debbie Stellhorn) Deters, of Woodlawn, Sandy (Tom) Ungrund, of Green Creek and Duane (Elizabeth Donnell) Deters of Humboldt. Bob is also survived by his wife Rita, 17grandchildren, and 22 great grandchildren. Bob was known as an extremely hard worker. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. One of his happier memories was the year all his sons went deer hunting with him in the Shawnee National Forest. He especially loved the Sunday gatherings at his home where his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren came several times a month. He enjoyed gardening, canning vegetables and making homemade wine. His children could always count on him for advice, life lessons by word and deed, and for assistance with any type of handyman project at their homes. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Bill and Don, and grandson-in-law, Jordan Reinhart.

The family wishes to express its gratitude to the staff at Stonebridge Memory Care and the staff at Willow Breeze Hospice House for their loving and compassionate care in the final months and weeks of his earthly journey.