Robert E. “Bob” Hirner

Robert E. “Bob” Hirner, 86, Philadelphia, Mo., passed away at 3:55 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, at Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Palmyra.

Bob was born April 1, 1934, in Hannibal, to Paul Joseph and Lorene Agnes Mudd Hirner.  He was married to Esther Ann DeLaPorte on Sept. 10, 1955, at Blessed Sacrament Church in Hannibal. She survives.

Other survivors include his children, Cathy (James) Otten, William J. (Kena) Hirner, Lori Mae Hirner and Russell T. Hirner; two brothers, Patrick Joseph Hirner and Thomas Wayne Hirner; one sister, Elizabeth Josephine Franklin; grandchildren, Lindsey Wheeler, W. Landen (Brandie) Tharp, Mikaela (Steve) Garth, Joseph (Leah) Hirner, Alissa Hirner, William R. (Merari) Hirner, Paul (Danielle) Hirner, Joshua (Nicole) Hirner and Melissa Hirner; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, and grandson, Benjamin Hirner.

Bob was a 1952 graduate of McCooey Catholic High School in Hannibal.

He worked at Abbott Laboratories in North Chicago, Ill., for 12 years from 1962 to 1974. He then began working as a chemist for American Cyanamid. He worked for them from 1976 until retirement after 22 years in 1998.

Bob was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, and he loved playing cards especially pitch. The thing he enjoyed most was playing golf with his friends and family.

Bob attended St. Joseph Catholic Church.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 30, at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel. Deacon Luke Mahsman will officiate. Burial will be at The Gardens at Mission Hill Baptist Church.

This service will be available as a livestream service on his obituary page at www.lewisbrothersfuneralchapel.com. This is only available during the actual service time.

Pallbearers will be Paul Hirner, W. Landen Tharp, Joshua Hirner, Joseph Hirner, Dale DeLaPorte and Dominick Tharp.

Honorary pallbearers will be Darren DeLaPorte, William R. Hirner, David DeLaPorte, Patrick Thomas and James Otten.

Friends and family are invited to Robert‘s life celebration at a visitation that will be from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday Dec. 30, at Lewis Brothers Funeral chapel.

Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or Loving Care Community Hospice.

Online condolences may be shared and video tribute viewed at www.lewisbrothersfuneralchapel.com.