Robert L. “Bob” Earp, 98, of Galesburg, Illinois passed away at 2:02 a.m. on Monday, March 31, 2025, at the Knox County Nursing Home in Knoxville, Illinois. He was born on July 30, 1926, in Monmouth, Illinois, the son of George H. and Leona M. (Skidmore) Earp. He married Helen Claycomb on November 2, 1946, in Monmouth. She preceded him in death in January of 2013.
Surviving are three sons, John (and Marcia) Earp of Wallkill, New York, Ron (and Karen) Earp of Galesburg, and Jeff (and Ramona) Earp of Morton, Illinois, a daughter, Nancy (and Ken) Hanson of Wallkill, New York, two sisters, Effie Boock of Little York, Illinois and Leona Mae Lenz (and John) of Republic, Missouri, a sister-in-law Shirley Earp of Monmouth, and six grandchildren, Kelly Wilkerson, Ryan (and Roni) Earp, Justin (and Lauren) Earp, Devin (and Natalie) Earp, Austin (and Christy) Earp, and Alana (and Beau) Mathews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Charles Earp and Larry Earp, and three sisters, Parolee Themason, Mary Bushong, and Martha Cook.
Robert was raised and educated in Little York and graduated from Little York High School in 1942. He served in the United States Army during WWII from 1942 to 1944. He was stationed in Korea during that time. He was a longtime Jehovah’s Witness and a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses congregation in both Monmouth and later Galesburg and was baptized in 1956. He served as an Elder in his congregation. Robert was a mechanic for Ford Garage in Monmouth, Illinois State Highway Department, and later Warren County Highway Department. He then owned and operated Earp’s Garage in Monmouth for several years and retired in 1982. He loved to work and used his time to garden, plant fruit trees, and preach the Kingdom good news. There are not enough words to express the loss we feel without him, but our memories of him will bring us smiles, laughter, and tears. It is our strong faith of seeing him in paradise on earth that brings us the most comfort at this time.
A memorial service will be scheduled for a later date at the Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall in Galesburg, Illinois. Private cremation burial will be in Monmouth Cemetery. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.h-p-w.com.
