Robert "Bob" V. Heitman, age 83, of Manhattan, passed away at home with his family by his side on Friday, October 20, 2023.

Survived by his daughter, Marcy (Ken) Kwiatkowski; grandchildren, Amber (Joe) Spiess, Ashlee Barger, Andrew Barger, and Jon-Michael (Reyna) Barger; seven great grandchildren; sisters-in-law; Patricia Heitman and Carole Griggs; nephews, Alvin Heitmann, James Benson and Karl (Jennifer) Heitman; nieces, Susan (Robert) Kruse, Bridget (Chris) Herzog, Emily Bartlett and Ciara Denton. Numerous great nieces and great nephews also survive.

Preceded in death by his wife, Debra Heitman; parents, Victor and Mary (nee Miller) Heitman; brothers, Gordon Heitman, Gerald Heitman, and Gary Heitman.

Bob was a Retired Teamster and Operating Engineer, avid Train fan especially Steam Locomotives. He drove a truck and was the Mechanic for his family's Trucking Company all his life, although his lifelong dream had been to open his own Mechanic Shop.

Bob was the friendliest guy, he always had a smile and a kind word for everyone he met. He was known in his later years as Papa by all of his grandchildren's friends. Bob was always young at heart, and while he may not have always been the leader of the shenanigans you could usually find him somewhere in the middle enjoying them.

We already miss his quiet dignity and strength, he fought long and hard because that is what you do, but it is our turn to honor him now.

Memorial service for Bob will be held at Forsythe Gould Funeral Home on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 12:00 pm. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until time of service. Inurnment to be held at a later date at Manhattan Center Cemetery. To honor our Dad, we will be having a pub crawl after services. Details to be announced then.

Arrangements entrusted to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St., Manhattan, Il 60442, 815-478-3321, www.forsythegouldfh.com.