Robert L. Millikan, 71 of Viola, Illinois, died Thursday, July 7, 2022. Funeral Services will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 13, at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo. Burial will be in Viola Cemetery. Visitation is 4 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, at the funeral home, with Masonic Services at 7 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Viola Fire Department or the Viola Masonic Lodge. Condolences may be left at speerfuneralhome.com.
Robert was born on September 16, 1950, in Aledo, to Frank M. and Marguerite (Peterson) Millikan. He married Gwen Hoggard on April 26, 1980, in Viola.
Bob retired from the United States Postal Service, where he carried rural mail for 42 years. He had also worked for the QC International Airport Fire Department and was a deputy for the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department. In Bob’s early years he worked for Red’s Texaco Station in Viola. He was a dedicated volunteer in the Viola Community, serving as Fire Chief for 30 years, serving on the 911 Board for over 25 years, serving 16 years on the Viola Village Board, and was currently president of the Viola Home Telephone Company. Bob was a 33rd degree Mason with the Scottish Rite and a member of the Viola Masonic Lodge AF & AM #577. Bob enjoyed his daily coffee breaks with the Coffee Council.
Those left to cherish Bob’s memory include his wife, Gwen; special family, Jordan Smith of Sherrard and Taylor Smith of Jacksonville; nieces and nephews: Sara Trigg, Miles Trigg, Austin Laud, Ashley Laud, Nichole Thiessen, and Taylor Millikan. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Randy.