Robert W. “Bob” Vander Pluym, 84, of Breese, died Saturday, March 24, 2007 at St. Joseph Hospital in Breese. 

Mr. Vander Pluym was born December 24, 1922 in Breese, the son of Louis and Bertha (Abeln) Vander Pluym; they preceded him in death. 

He married Ardel Lager on January 10, 1946 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in New Brunswick, NJ while serving in the U.S. Army during W.W. II; she survives in Breese. 

Surviving are his 3 daughters, Mary (Chad) Roberts of Salem, Beth (Charles) Grapperhaus of Breese, and Teresa Jansen of Breese. 

Seven Grandchildren, Cheryl (Shawn) Johnson, Kristen Hollenkamp, Keith Hollenkamp, Cole Grapperhaus, Katie Grapperhaus, Brian Jansen, and Brent Jansen and 1 great-grandchild, William Riley Johnson. 

Brothers, Charles (Pat) Vander Pluym of Florissant, MO, Dave (Gert) Vander Pluym of Mission, TX, Jerome Vander Pluym of Lebanon, and Thomas Vander Pluym of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

 Sisters, Helen DeFosset of Belleville, Margaret Mondt of Aviston, and Virginia Berkel of Belleville. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Walter Vander Pluym, Richard “Gino” Vander Pluym, and James Vander Pluym.  Family records indicate that the Vander Pluym name is the oldest in the city of Breese. 

After his discharge from the Army, Bob came back to Breese, to live in his home town.  In May 1946, Bob started working at the Clinton County Electric Co-op in Breese as a lineman.  After 28 Years of working at various positions at the Co-op, he was appointed Manager in 1974 and served in that position until he retired in 1988. 

Bob was always active in civic, school, and church affairs.  He was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese, the Breese Knights of Columbus Council 2869, Breese American Legion Post 252, Breese Lions Club, Breese Historical Society, President of the Retired Electric Co-op Personnel in Illinois, and St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary. 

In the past, Bob served as 4-H Leader, Breese Fire Department, District 12 School Board, Supervisor of Breese TWP, Member of Clinton County Board, Chairman of the New St. Joseph Hospital Fund Drive in 1965 until completion, St. Joseph Hospital Board, member and chairman of committee working to get new doctors at the new hospital.  He was also past chairman and Member of Breese Chamber of Commerce, past member and chairman of Illinois Electric Co-op Manager’s Association, Chairman for the fund drive for St. Dominic’s Gym in Breese, and member of South Western Illinois Planning Commission. 

In the past Bob was awarded the Breese J.C.’s Distinguished Service Award, the Lions highest award-the Melvin Jones Fellowship Plaque, the Illinois Electric Co-op’s Manager of the Year award, and received the highest award from Catholic War Veterans for service to community. He received a distinguished service award from the Breese Lions Club, and many more plaques and Citations for services rendered to the community. 

Bob loved Breese and Always said, “Getting the ground donated and raising the money to build the new St. Joseph Hospital in Breese was my proudest accomplishment for Breese.”  St. Joseph’s Hospital today is an enormous asset to Breese and all of the surrounding counties. 

Funeral Mass of Christian burial will be Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at 11:00 AM at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese with Fr. Patrick Peter officiating.  Interment will follow in St. Dominic/St. Augustine Cemetery, Breese. 

Visitation will be Monday, March 26, 2007 from 4:00-9:00 PM and again on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 from 8:00-10:45 AM at the Moss Funeral Home in Breese. 

Memorials can be made to St. Joseph Hospital or St. Dominic Catholic Church and will be received at the funeral home.  

The Breese American Legion will hold services at 7:00 PM. The Breese Lions Club at 7:15 PM and the Breese Knights of Columbus at 7:30 PM all Monday Evening at the funeral home.