BENTON – Robert “Pizza Bob” Bleichner, 78, of Benton passed away on Tuesday afternoon, February 11, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born in Urbana, IL, on May 29, 1946 the son of Lawrence & Rebecca (Ochs) Bleichner.
He married Loyce McCollum on February 17, 1979, in West City, IL. She preceded him in death on August 12, 2012.
Mr. Bleichner owned and operated the Pizza Shack for 42 years, and was the first pizza place in town. He was famous for his pizza, tacos, and taco sauce (No, you can’t have the recipe!). He was a member of the Boccie Ball Club, had season tickets to the Indianapolis 500, and enjoyed going to auctions. Long before it was popular, Bob had an extreme couponing phase, and his wife joked that while other husbands were out running the bars, hers was out running the grocery stores. He enjoyed dinner parties with friends, Henry & Linda Moore, and loved visiting with his grandchildren. Bob was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Benton and the famously self-appointed mayor and sheriff of Pickle City, Illinois.
Mr. Bleichner is survived by his:
Children: Erin (Shannon) Wright, Alan Brockett, Robert Bleichner, Amanda Bleichner & husband Adam Fletcher, Ryan Bleichner
Grandchildren: Victoria Atchison, Samuel Anastasi, Addison Anastasi, Elliette Fletcher, Rowan Fletcher
Great-Granddaughter: Magnolia Atchison
Siblings: Martina Dial & husband Allen, Janice Revell
Brother-in-law: Michael (Jolene) McCollum
Many nieces and nephews in Champaign County and southeast Missouri.
Mr. Bleichner was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brothers, L.J. Bleichner, Paul Bleichner and Carl Bleichner; sister, Beverly; sister-in-law, Ruth McCollum; brother-in-law, Steven McCollum; niece, Phyllis Bowman; and his recently departed cat, Buddy.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, February 15, at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. A graveside service will follow immediately after the visitation at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton with Military Rites conducted by the Benton American Legion Post #280, VFW Post #2671 and the Army Honor Team.
For more information or to send online condolences, please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com.
