Bob Borchelt

MARION, Ill. -- Robert D. "Bob" Borchelt, 83, of Marion, former longtime resident of Cape Girardeau, passed away peacefully, with his family near, at 8:22 a.m. Friday, June 26, 2020, at his home.

He was born Sunday, Nov. 22, 1936, in Cape Girardeau, the son of Ivan Weldon and Eva Gaynell Green Borchelt.

Bob, as he was known, attended school in Cape Girardeau and was a graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School.

He answered the call of this nation by enlisting into the U.S. Navy in 1956, and after his period of faithful service, was honorably discharged in 1958 with the rank of seaman.

Bob was united in marriage to Louise Frances LaCroix on Saturday, April 11, 1959, in St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau, and together they shared more than 61 years of marriage.

His working career was with Rust & Martin Interior Design of Cape Girardeau, overseeing their upholstery department for 38 years. After he retired from Rust & Martin in 2001, he opened up his own business, Borchelt's Upholstery in Cape Girardeau. He operated it until he totally retired in 2008, and it was then he moved to Marion to be near his family.

He was a former longtime active member of St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau and, when he moved to Marion, he became a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Bob was always active in the community. When he was younger, he was a member of Exchange Club of Cape Girardeau. Something he loved being involved with was the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Cape Girardeau, serving as president for 25 years. He also was a fourth-degree knight and a member of Knights of Columbus Council 1111 of Cape Girardeau and Elks Club of both Marion and Cape Girardeau and was a lifetime member of the American Legion of both Marion and Cape Girardeau. He also taught upholstery at a vocational school for 17 years.

In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting in Montana and Colorado; fishing in Canada, Alaska and North Dakota; woodworking; camping; and traveling the world.

He loved his family and always enjoyed the many times they were together. The many memories that were created will now be cherished by those he leaves behind.

Bob is survived by his wife, Louise F. Borchelt of Marion; daughter and son-in-law, Mary Ann and Stephen Brown of Marion; grandsons, Stephen Nicholas (Sarah) Brown of Marion, Jordan Michael (Erin) Brown of Marion, Christopher Randall (Stevie) Brown of Makanda, Illinois, and Bryan Robert Brown of Carbondale, Illinois; great-granddaughter, Annie Lucille Hutchcraft of Carbondale; great-grandsons, Brecken Michael Brown and Tucker Randall Brown, both of Marion; another soon-to-be-born great-granddaughter, Frankie Gale Brown; and other extended family and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Dorothy Ann Ramsey and Edith Jane Anderson; and brother, Dale Alfred Borchelt.

Funeral Mass will be private at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 600 N. Russell St. in Marion, with the Rev. Brian Baker presiding. Military honors will be accorded at the church by members of Heyde-Pillow Veterans of Foreign War Post 1301 of Marion and members of the U.S. Navy Funeral Honors Burial Detail.

For those who prefer, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Memorial contributions may be mailed to the Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court St., Marion, IL 62959. Memorial envelopes will also be available at the church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home.

To leave an online condolence or memory, visit www.wilsonmcreynolds.com, or for additional information, call the funeral home at (618) 993-2131.