Robert McAlister

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Robert C. "Bob" McAlister, 75, of Jonesboro, passed away at 12:10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, at Southeast Hospital.

Bob was born March 10, 1942, in Houston, the son of Robert Perry and Irene (Helms) McAlister. He married Kristie Dillow on Jan. 29, 1971.

He grew up as a shrimper with his dad and brother in Seadrift, Texas, where his whole family shrimped the San Antonio Bay.

He served four years in the Navy and was a veteran of the Vietnam War.

In 1970, he moved to Southern Illinois, thanks to the Wilkins family, and then met and married Kristie. He worked side by side with his father-in-law as a farmer his entire life in Southern Illinois.

He was an avid sportsman. At the age of 49, he went to work on the river for Missouri Barge Line, working for 12 years.

He was a member and elder of Anna Church of Christ.

He was member of Carroll Foster Post 3455 VFW.

Bob is survived by his wife, Kristie McAlister of Jonesboro; sons, R.W. (Renee) McAlister of Jonesboro and Bryan (Mendy) McAlister of Centerville, Tennessee; seven grandchildren, Amy Kathryn, Holly Renee, Connor Ward, Jason Robert, Kendyl Breeann, Kinley Brooke and Carsen Duane; mother, Irene McAlister of Victoria, Texas; sister, Brenda Owen of Bay City, Texas; brother, Bryan Lynn (Annette) McAlister of Sulphur Springs, Texas; aunt, Louise McCown; three nieces; and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his father; Kristie's parents, Ward and Virgie Dillow; and his daughter, Amy Lynne McAlister.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Anna Church of Christ, with R.W. and Bryan McAlister officiating. Interment will follow in St. John's Cemetery, with military honors by Carroll Foster VFW Post 3455 and Illinois Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions may be made to Anna Church of Christ and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To view the full obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit crainsonline.com.