Robert G. Arlt Sr., 61, of O'Fallon, Ill., born June 8, 1953, in East St. Louis, Ill., died Monday, September 22, 2014, at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, Ill.

Bob enjoyed working with his hands, if it was building his dream home, wood and or leather work projects. He loved working on his cars and teaching the grandkids to fish. His children and grandchildren were the most important people in his life and he so appreciated the time he spent with them doing and creating projects.

He was preceded by a grandchild, Timothy N. Arlt; his father, Herbert F. Arlt; a brother, Dennis R. Arlt; and a sister, Deborah Moore.

Surviving are his mother, Rosemary, nee Husman, Arlt of Belleville, Ill.; his children, Robert G. (Stephanie Haislar) Arlt Jr. of Edwardsville, Ill., Alison (Chris) Seip of Troy, Ill., Ashley (Justin) Cox of Springfield, Ill.; 13 grandchildren; Drew Prewett, Chance Arlt-Seip, Shane and Jude Seip, Robert M. and Jakob Arlt, Tyler Haislar, Gage McMillen, Taylor Roberson, Tristen and Kyler Thaxton, Keylie and Mason Potts; his partner, Dee Fritts of Eldorado, Ill.; three sisters, Dorothy "Sami" Voland of Belleville, Ill., Penny Boatman of Highland, Ill., and Amber (John) Lindner of Belleville, Ill.

Memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association, Hospice of Southern Illinois, or Lung Cancer Research at Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis, Mo.

Online expressions of sympathy may be made at: www.laughlinfh.com

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, September 25, 2014, and 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, September 26, 2014, at Richeson Funeral Home, Troy, Ill.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, September 26, 2014, at the funeral home, with Rev. Dennis Price officiating.

RICHESON FUNERAL HOME,

Troy, Ill.