Robert George Werner, 87 of Lincoln passed away June 19, 2009 at his home in Lincoln.

Bob was born on February 19, 1922 in Springfield, the son of John and Anna Werner. He married Betty J. Sandidge of Louisville, Kentucky on March 8, 1945.

Following his graduation from Lanphier High School, Springfield, Illinois in 1940, Bob was called to serve in the Air Force. During World War II he served with the 15thAir Force, 454 Bombing Group in the European Theater. Technical Sergeant Werner, a radio operator and aerial gunner was wounded on two bombing missions in March and April of 1944 and was awarded a Purple Heart with 1st Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster. On his 50thbombing mission during the "Battle of Polesti, Romania" his B-24 plane was shot down over Bulgaria. He was captured by the German Army and held as a "prisoner of war" from June through September, 1944, when the Russian Army liberated him and his fellow soldiers.

Bob worked as an insurance broker for Aid Associations for Lutherans Life Insurance Company and later as a Technical Advisor with the Illinois Department of Transportation, retiring in 1989.

His hobbies included traveling with his wife in their motor home, gardening and watching sports, especially when his children and grandchildren were playing.

Bob was a member and attended Zion Lutheran Church, Lincoln, Illinois. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, American Ex-Prisoners of War.

Mr. Werner was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Edward, Frederick and John Werner and a sister, Esther Wild.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty J. Werner of Lincoln; four (4) children, daughter Sandra K. Adkins of Lincoln, Illinois; son Steven R. (wife Carol) Werner of Chandler, Arizona; son Scott A. Werner of Lincoln, Illinois; son Stanton W. Werner of Aurora, Illinois and seven (7) grandchildren, Christopher A. (wife Nicole) Adkins of Aurora, Illinois; Cynthia A. Adkins and Courtney A. Adkins of Springfield, Illinois; Emily R. Werner of Tucson, Arizona; Eliot D. Werner of Phoenix, Arizona; Brock A. (wife Hayley) Werner of Lincoln, Illinois and Morgan T. Werner of Aurora, Illinois; two (2) great-grandchildren, Imagin Patience Werner and Jessa Bliss Werner of Lincoln, Illinois; two (2) brothers, Walt (wife June) Werner of Tinton Falls, New Jersey and Raymond Werner of Springfield, Illinois, one (1) sister-in-law Ethel (husband John) Kelly, of Venice, Florida and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m. on Mon. 6/22 at Fricke-Calvert- Schrader Funeral home, 127 South Logan Street, Lincoln, Illinois. Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. on Tues. at Zion Lutheran Church of Lincoln with Pastor Mark Thompson officiating. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery, where the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County will conduct military honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Zion Lutheran School Scholarship Fund or Memorial Home Services Hospice.

The family of Robert George Werner is being served by Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home, 127 South Logan Street, Lincoln, Illinois.

[Text from file received from Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home, Lincoln]