Robert Gilligan

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. -- Robert E. Gilligan, Ph.D., 80, of Fairview Heights died Saturday, May 28, 2016, at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, Illinois.

He was born Tuesday, June 4, 1935, in East Saint Louis, Illinois, the son of Robert E. and Edna Swancutt Gilligan Sr.

Robert worked as a university professor at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and Southeastern Missouri State University, and as a supervisor park ranger for the National Parks Service.

He was a member of First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville, as well as the American Legion in Springfield, Illinois, AARP and the Cahokia Archaeological Society. He was a Korean War Air Force veteran.

Surviving are his wife, Margaret Frantz Gilligan of O'Fallon, Illinois; four stepchildren; and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville.

A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with pastor Rob Dyer officiating. Interment will be at Walnut Hill Cemetery in Belleville.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.kurrusfh.com.

Memorials may be made to the CityArchRiver Foundation, www.cityarchriver.org.