Name: Robert E. "Bob" Needham Date: April 7th, 1948 - August 7th, 2009 Obituary: NORTH PEKIN—Robert E. “Bob” Needham, 61, of North Pekin, died at 1:29 PM on Friday, August 7, 2009 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria surrounded by his loving family. He was born on April 7, 1948 in Morris Chapel, TN to Thomas and Faustine King Needham. He married Sharion Kilgore on January 21, 1970 in East Peoria. He later married Joyce Delgadillo on June 8, 2002 in Peoria IL. Surviving are his wife, Joyce Needham of Peoria; 2 children, Todd Needham of Terre Haute, IN and Tonya Needham of North Pekin; step-children, Beth (Steve) Licatesi of Minooka, IL, and Amici (Brad) Follis of Peoria; 6 grandchildren, Kyleigh Wenger of Washington, Jordan Delgadillo of Peoria, Matt and Zach Licatesi of Minooka, and Lauren and Jocelyn Follis of Peoria; 2 brothers, Edward Needham of East Peoria, and Thomas Needham of Winchester, TN; 1 sister, Barbara (Irving) Birdsell of Portland, TN; his mother-in-law, Bernice White of Peoria; and many adoring nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters, and his best friend and faithful companion, his German Shepherd, General. Bob was a US Army Vietnam Veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart. He most recently worked as a customer service rep with Thornton’s for 5 years, and retired from Caterpillar, Inc. in 2002, after 36 years, last working in Building LL. He had also been a police officer with North Pekin and Marquette Heights. Anyone who ever met Bob knows of his caring and generous nature. He was a man who never knew a stranger. Even in death, his corneas were donated. His family would like to thank the nurses at OSF St. Francis Medical Center on CICU and 1700 for their compassion and caring. A funeral service will be held at 10 AM on Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at Deiters Funeral Home & Crematory in East Peoria. The Rev. James Walden will officiate. Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Monday, August 10 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Fondulac Cemetery in East Peoria. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or to the American Diabetes Association. Visitations: 5:00PM to 7:00PM on Monday, August 10th, 2009 at Deiters Funeral Home & Crematory - East Peoria (map/driving directions) Services: 10:00AM at Deiters Funeral Home - East Peoria on Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 (map/driving directions) Cemetery: Fondulac Cemetery 1900 E. Washington Street East Peoria, IL 61611 (map/driving directions)