CARTERVILLE, Ill. — Robert Crutcher Jr. passed away peacefully on Monday, July 30, 2012, at 2:24 p.m. in his home in Carterville. He was 78 years old.

Bob was born in Lola, Kentucky, on June 28, 1934. He was the second child of three and the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Franklin Crutcher Sr. He was a 1952 graduate of Livingston County High School in Smithland, Kentucky. After attending classes at SIU and the University of Evansville, he joined the Navy in 1954. He attended basic training at the US Naval Training Center Recruit Training Command in Bainbridge, Maryland, in the 1st Regiment Company 30. He then was assigned to the USS Randolph and spent most of his service career in the Mediterranean, especially in Turkey, Italy, Spain, Portugal and North Africa. While on board the Randolph he became an Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd class and had the opportunity to be on the ground floor of the organization that later became NASA. Bob was also one of the first groups of people trained in using microwave technology for naval communication.

After leaving the Navy he married Sandra Walker of Evansville, Indiana, in 1958 and lived in Marion until 1967. The family moved to Lawrenceville and Bob worked for GTE until 1977. They then settled in Carterville and raised four children there. He retired from the Kentucky State Police in 1997. Bob and Sandy joined the First United Methodist Church and became active members for many years.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Sandy, and his youngest son, David and daughter-in-law Angie Crutcher.

He is survived by his oldest sister, Robbie Wring of Henderson, Kentucky; his youngest sister and brother-in-law, Wanda and Steve Nelms of Dorchester, South Carolina; his oldest son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Ruth Crutcher of Auburn, Georgia; his oldest daughter and son-in-law, Teresa and Darrell Walker of Carterville; his youngest daughter, Melissa Ingram and Sam Bracken of LaGrange, Kentucky; 10 grandchildren, Brad and Tammy Walker, Kyle Walker, Matthew Crutcher, Mikeala Crutcher, Cameron Crutcher, Trent Crutcher, Nikki Luffman, Kara and Joe Crothy, Austin Reed, and Jordan Frye; and great-grandchildren, Wyatt Walker, Logan and Daxton Crotty; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be Saturday, August 4, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the Carterville United Methodist Church with the Revs. Steve Palmer, Kurt Waller and Bob Wring officiating. Inurnment will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Military rites will be presented by the Marion VFW Post #1301, American Legion Post #147 and members of the National Guard Flag Detail Unit.

Visitation will be Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion is assisting the family with arrangements.

The family would like to thank all of the wonderful nurses and doctors that took care of Bob at Herrin Hospital and the nurses at Hospice of Southern Illinois. Special thank you to Dr. Javier Muniz, Emily, Deana and Allison — he loved you so.

For those who prefer, memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Envelopes will be available and accepted at the church on the day of the service or at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home, P.O. Box 39, Marion IL 62959.

For additional information or to sign the guest memorial register please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com.