Robert D. Heberer, 87, of Waterloo, formerly of Mascoutah, born May 17, 1932 in Freeburg, died Nov. 9, 2019, at Oak Hill in Waterloo.

He was a retired, former owner of Heberer Equipment Company of Mascoutah and Gateway Bobcat. Bob was a graduate of the University of Illinois and a U.S. Army veteran.  He was a member of St. John United Church of Christ, Mascoutah, St. Libory American Legion, past governor of District 1-CN and 60 year member of Lions International, past president of St. John UCC council, past president of Illinois Farm Equipment Association and past president of Lincoln Landers Chapter of FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association). In 1981 he founded the Gateway Farm Club. He managed the Gateway Farm Toy Show in St. Louis for 20 years. In 1995 he was the sixth inductee in the National Farm Toy Hall of Fame. He was a member of Turkey Hill Grange since 1948.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry C. and Lillian F. (nee Wittlich) Heberer; son, Robert “Rob” Heberer II; son-in-law, Dennis Graul; and a sister, Joni Reilly.

Surviving are his wife, Janet I. (nee Bayles) Heberer whom he married in Pekin on July 19, 1953; three children, Kathleen (Edward) Weilbacher of Waterloo, James (Mary) Heberer of Millstadt and Julia Heberer of Okawville; grandchildren, John (Lyndsy) Weilbacher and Elizabeth “Rosie” (Robert) Betz; great-grandson Logan Betz; step grandsons, Andrew Matecki and Timothy (Cristin) Matecki; and step great-grandchildren, Chase, Jackson and Presley Matecki.

Visitation is 4-7 p.m. Nov. 12 at Moll Funeral Home in Mascoutah and 9-10:30 a.m. Nov. 13 at St. John United Church of Christ in Mascoutah.

A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Nov. 13 at St. John United of Church of Christ, Rev. Hugh Fitz officiating. 

Burial will be at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Lions of Illinois Foundation, 2254 Oakland Dr, Sycamore or NFED (National Foundation for Ectodermal Dyplasias), 6 Executive Dr Ste. 2, Fairview Heights.