Robert “Bob” Eugene Keplinger, 75, of Washington died at 8:59 a.m. Monday, Aug. 11, 2008, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Born June 1, 1933, in Jonesborough, Tenn., to Horace and Rose D. (Hill) Keplinger, he married Geraldine “Jerry” Kaps April 11, 1953, in Peoria. She survives.

Also surviving are four daughters, Robin Nelson of Eureka, Debra (Galen) Haegele of Davenport, Iowa, Rhonda and Kevin Elliot of Roosevelt, Utah, and Denise (Ken) Crank of Washington; two brothers, Jack (Betty) Keplinger of Fall Branch, Ind., and Lee (Helen) Keplinger of Peoria; two sisters, Ina Arington of Indianapolis, Ind., and Betty Jo Williams of Jonesborough, Tenn.; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three brothers and one sister.

He was a United States Army veteran.

He retired from Caterpillar Inc. March 1, 1981, where he worked in the foundry and later as a machine operator.

He was also a member of Bay View Baptist Church in Washington.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Deiters Funeral Home in Washington. His sons-in-law, the Revs. Galen Haegele and Ken Crank, will officiate.

Visitation will from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home

Burial will in Hillcrest Memory Gardens in Morton.

Memorials in may be made to an education fund for his great-grandchildren care of Heartland Bank and Trust in Washington.

Condolences may be sent online to the family at www.deitersfuneralhome.com.