Robert Guard

Robert Guard

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Robert C. "Bob" Guard, 74, of Perryville died Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009, at his home.

He was born Sept. 12, 1934, in Poplar Bluff, Mo., son of the late Paul H. and Lena E. (Myrant) Guard. He was married July 27, 1954, to Shirley A. Scherer Guard, who survives in Perryville.

Guard was owner/operator of Perryville IGA for 25 years and part owner of Perry Industries.

Other survivors include a son, Michael Guard (Amanda McKin) of St. Louis; a daughter, Cheryl (Michael) Vowels of Springfield, Mo.; a brother, Paul (Billie) Guard of Wappapello, Mo.; a sister, Sue (Richard) Spencer of Perryville; two granddaughters, Michelle (Randy) Zimmerman and Jamie (Bart) Reid; and four great-grandchildren, Taylor, Ryleigh, Mason and Lilly.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Guard was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Perryville, Perryville Elks Lodge, American Legion Post 133, AMVETS Post 94, Perryville Country Club, a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean conflict, and co-founder and president for 33 years of Perry County Estates. He was a graduate of Indiana Tech with a bachelor's of science in electrical engineering. Guard formerly held leadership positions with Perryville Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Perry County Sportsmen's Club and The Village Coffee "Think Tank."

Guard was a licensed commercial pilot. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfing.

Memorials are preferred for Southeast Hospice or Leukemia Foundation.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday and from 6:30 a.m. to the time of service Tuesday at Young and Sons Funeral Home. A Perryville Elks wake will be at 6:30 a.m. Monday.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Tom Bass officiating.

Burial is at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Mo.