Published on June 8, 2025 8:44 pm
Last Updated on June 10, 2025 10:20 am
Robert (Bob) Harder, 87, of Altamont passed away peacefully at Haven of St. Elmo on Sunday, June 8, 2025 at 12:40 p.m.
A graveside service will be held at Altamont’s Union Cemetery on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Tonna Percival officiating. Memorials may be made to Altamont First United Methodist Church, Haven of St. Elmo, or the donor’s choice. Gieseking Funeral Home, Altamont is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mr. Harder was born in Shumway, the son of Casey and Madonna (Brandt) Harder on Monday, August 30, 1937. He graduated from Altamont Community High School in 1955 and Eastern Illinois University in 1959 where he was on EIU’s track team. He was a retired junior high school teacher having taught at Toledo and Altamont.
He was united in marriage to his college sweetheart Shirley Galloway at the First United Methodist Church on August 18, 1957. They were blessed with three children, Rob, Sara and Kara.
Bob was a hard-working dedicated man who cared deeply for his family and community. He was Altamont’s Citizen of the Year in 2003. He was a member of the Altamont First United Methodist Church, and was also a former member of the Altamont Volunteer Fire Department, the Effingham County Fair Board, a clerk for Francis Auction Company, assisted at Gieseking Funeral Home and owned the Mowing Company.
He enjoyed family activities, camping, traveling, coaching and starting track meets for ACHS and keeping the clock for AGS basketball games. Daily, some of his great granddogs would come to visit “Pop”: Molly, Aunt Beatrice, Bear, Bandit, Huxley and Nellie. Special thanks goes to Altamont First United Methodist Church family and friends, Visiting Angels and Haven of St. Elmo.
Bob is survived by his wife of over 67 years, Shirley, children, Rob Harder of Altamont, Sara Harder of Paxton, Kara (Jeff) Miller of Altamont, grandchildren, Madison “Matt” (McKenzie) Fritscher of Paxton, Robert (Christiana Wittenmyer) Harder of Terre Haute, IN and one great grandson Lowry Fritscher of Paxton, sister Carol (Gene) Dammerman of Anna and brother David Harder of Leesburg, FL, sister-in-law Susanne Galloway of Altamont, several nieces and nephews and special friends Danielle (Adam) Mayhaus and Cal of Effingham and Wyatt (Elise) Vaughn of Collinsville.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother James Harder, sisters-in-law Jacquelynn Harder and Cecilia “Sis” Harder, brother-in-law Donald Eugene (in infancy) and Monte H Galloway.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.giesekingfh.com.