Bob Tucker

Bob Tucker, 82, of McClure, Illinois, died Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at Mercy Hospital Southeast in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Aug. 3, 1941, in Anna, Illinois, to Thomas and Pauline McHughes Tucker. He and Clara Mae Benefield were married June 9, 1961, at Gale Church of God.

Bob was a member of the last class to graduate from Thebes (Illinois) High School.

He owned Heartland Telephone Services and previously worked at Southwestern Bell and AT&T.

He attended Gale Church of God and had many friends at East Cape Baptist Church.

Bob was on the Shawnee High School Board and served as the Athletic Booster Club president. He also volunteered 30-plus years at the SEMO District Fair.

He was an avid supporter of his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. He loved to spend time with his Hardees buddies for morning coffee and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.

He spent his free time gardening and fishing and his latest hobby was raising fishing worms, plus his notorious "true stories" and daily jokes. His main goal was to have everyone smile.

Survivors include his wife, Clara Mae Tucker of McClure; two sons, Scott Tucker of McClure and Tony (Jenny) Tucker of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, Sandy (Kevin) Boston of Thebes and Michelle Johns of Jackson; one brother, David (Susan) Tucker of Thebes; one sister, Roberta (John, deceased) Kaufman of Jackson; three grandchildren, Kaylee (Cody) Hinkebein, Dylan Boston and Kristen Johns; and two great-grandchildren, Tucker and Tinslee Hinkebein.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 28, at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 29, at the funeral home with Pastor Buddy Walls officiating.

Burial will be at Lindsey Cemetery in McClure.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Gale Church of God or Rooms for Smiles.

Online condolences may be sent at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.