Robert “Bob” E. Slater, 86 of Milan, Illinois, passed away Friday, May 15, 2026, at his home. A graveside funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, May 21, at the Viola Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be left to the Quad City Animal Welfare Center. Dennison Funeral Home in Viola is handling the funeral arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.dennisonfuneralhome.com.
Bob was born May 26, 1939, in Rock Island, the son of Clayton and Ruth Anderson Slater. He graduated from Rock Island High School and a few years later married Connie Yerkey on June 4, 1959, in Viola. Together they were married for 66 years.
Bob worked in sales for Auto Acres in Milan for over 42 years. He had a passion for sales, and was well known attending auctions and yard sales, searching for old bicycles and mowers to fix up and sell. He also enjoyed spending time outside doing yardwork and tending to his garden.
Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Connie Slater of Milan; children, Kelly (Rick) Atkins of Andalusia and Craig Slater of Viola; grandchildren, Sara (Mike) Dekeyrel, Nathan Slater, and Travis (Felicia) Atkins; and great grandchildren, Carsen, Cain, Callen, Addison Dekeyrel, and Elliana and Olivia Atkins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Patricia Johnson.