Robert C. ‘Bob’ McAlister

Robert C. “Bob” McAlister, 75, of Jonesboro, died at 12:10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born on March 10, 1942, in Houston, Texas, 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 a member of Carroll P. Foster Post No. 3455 of the VFW.

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

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

Funeral services were at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29, at the Anna Church of Christ, with R.W. and Bryan McAlister officiating. Interment was in St. John’s Cemetery near Dongola, with military honors by Carroll P. Foster Post No. 3455 and the Illinois honor guard.

Memorials can be made to Anna Church of Christ.

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

Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro was in charge of arrangements.

The Gazette-Democrat

112 Lafayette St.
Anna, Illinois 62906
Office Number: (618) 833-2158
Email: news@annanews.com

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