Robert A Smyser

Robert  "Bob" Smyser, 85,  of Toledo, Illinois passed away at 10:58 AM, Wednesday February 25, 2026 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, Illinois.   Bob was born August 30, 1940 in Paris, Illinois son of Michael M. and Ruby L. (Bowen) Smyser.  He married Carolyn Sue White June 30, 1962 in Camargo, Illinois. Bob graduated Mattoon High School, took welding classes in Mattoon, Peoria and Baltimore Maryland. He was qualified in water and sewer operation. He worked for Campbell and Co., drove for United Parcel of Mattoon, was an operator at the Neoga Water and Sewer Department, worked as a welder on the largest oil tanker at Bethlehem Steel Ship Yard in Baltimore, and retired from Trailmobile. Bob coached little league ball and played a major part in getting the second ball diamond at Jennings Park. He taught Sunday school for 15 years and was youth leader for 10 years. He helped start a home mission church in Baltimore. Bob loved to watch great grandchildren running through the house and giving him hugs. He also loved gardening and traveling.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Carolyn "Sue" Smyser of Toledo, Illinois; son, James "Jim" (Marilyn )Smyser Neoga, Illinois, John M. (Shoshanna) Smyser De Pere, Wisconsin, and Mark S. Smyser Toledo, Illinois; siblings, Michael E. (Roma) Smyser, Marie Haskell, Erma Franklin, and Jerry Smyser; grandchildren, Savannah Plog, Shay Smyser, Spencer (Brittany) Smyser, Erin (David Schwabe) Ray, Beth (Josh) Kollman, and Joey (Kourtney) Smyser;

great-grandchildren, Connor and Logan Plog, Gideon, Ozzie, and Judah Smyser, Kendal and Daisy Schwabe and Coltin Ray, Anna and Grace Kollman, Carolyn, Calvin and Fynn Smyser.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, son Danny Smyser, brother David L. Smyser, and sisters, Mary Lou Fosbender, Judy Struc, Wilma Hancock, and Wanda Helm.

The family has requested that guests wear casual attire for the visitation and funeral.

A Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 PM Friday, February 27, 2026 at Swengel-O’Dell Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the 12:00 PM service Friday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Neoga Cemetery. Swengel - O’Dell funeral Home of Neoga, Illinois is assisting with arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.swengel-odell.com                             

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