Robert Lee Harley Bandy, 91, of Taylorville, Illinois, passed away at 12:55 a.m. on Sunday, December 25, 2022, at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
Bob was born November 9, 1931, in Edinburg, Illinois, the son of William T. and Nettie Anna (Wolf) Bandy. He graduated from Edinburg High School in 1949 and was drafted into the United States Army in 1952 while he was working for Clarence Young’s Turkey Farm in Stonington, Illinois. Bob proudly served our country during the Korean War as a radio operator in the 40th Infantry Division of the 143rd Field Artillery Battalion as a Private and was honorably discharged November 28, 1953 following the end of the war. On October 10, 1954, Bob and Herbertta Ann Edwards were married at the Blue Mound Christian Church, Blue Mound, Illinois. They have enjoyed over 68 years of marriage, residing in Illinois, Florida and Indiana.
Bob worked for Firestone in Decatur, Illinois for many years. In 1970 he moved his family to Florida where he was employed as a carpenter to build storage cabinets for Culligan dialysis equipment. From there, the family relocated to Indiana in 1973 where Bob continued his career as a carpenter, working for Brown County Construction in Nashville, Indiana. The family then moved back to Taylorville in 1975, and Bob started “Bob Bandy & Sons Construction” where he provided general contracting services to central Illinois residents and businesses for many years. Bob continued with his carpentry even after retirement when he began designing and building custom wood furniture. He sold his creations at craft fairs and markets in Illinois and Indiana where he always enjoyed talking with others about furniture, woodworking, and his family.
Bob was a longtime member of the Taylorville Christian Church, V.F.W. Post #4495, AMVETS Post 29, and the Christian County Farm Bureau. He loved to talk politics and never missed listening to Paul Harvey. Bob had a green thumb, enjoying both flower and vegetable gardening. He enjoyed the outdoors and he and his family of 7 camped in numerous campgrounds in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. One of his proudest moments was being able to participate in the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight of July 2017, accompanied on the flight by his oldest son Dave. Of all Bob’s talents and interests, spending time with his family brought him the greatest joy.
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son Dale Eugene Bandy; sisters Elizabeth Hagan, Marcella Moomey, and Grace Hadden, and brothers Maurice, George, Bill, Russell, Harold, Eugene, and Ronald Bandy.
Bob is survived by his wife, Herbertta Ann Bandy of Taylorville; children, Dave Bandy of Hardwood, MI, Steve (Kelley) Bandy of Athens, Christine (Roland) Pruett of Noblesville, IN, Alicia (Jeff) Mudd of Middletown, MO, and Jacque (Vic) Garman of Taylorville; grandchildren Stacie (Joe) Madison, Ashton (Jennifer) Bandy, Emil (Jesica) Bandy, Grace (Seth) Rice, Naomi Bandy, Ruth Bandy, Jessica (Alex) Stophel, Natalie (Andrew) Stewart, Olivia Pruett, Katy (Mark) Austin, Elizabeth (Stan) Kotus, Rachel (Gary) Stover, James Mudd, Jack Mudd, and Rebecca Garman; great-grandchildren Tristen, Tyler, Landen, Ethan, Alister, Charlotte, Liam, Addison, Talia, Molleigh, Hattie, Noah, Hope, Will, Annabelle, Grant, Ellen Marie, Margaret, Levi, Amelia, Ruby, Violet, George, Julianna, Scarlett, Adelyn and Hazel; great-great-grandson Loxley; brother, Darrell Bandy of Moweaqua; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation & Funeral Ceremony: The family will receive guests from 9:00-11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at Taylorville Christian Church, 1124 N. Webster Street, Taylorville, IL 62568. The funeral ceremony will follow the visitation at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Pastor Richard Wamsley officiating.
Memorial Contributions may be made to: V.F.W. Post #4495, 515 N. West Ave, Taylorville, IL 62568, or Christian County Senior Citizens, 701 W. Adams Street, Taylorville, IL 62568.
The family has entrusted Shafer-Perfetti & Assalley Funeral Home in Taylorville with ceremonies.
Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories of Bob, or to offer condolences to his family.
