MAROA — Robert Edwin Braden, 78, of Maroa, passed away on Saturday, July 21, 2018, in the comfort of his home. 

Bob was born on November 5, 1939, in Decatur, Ill. to Edwin Robert and Pearl Irene (Meador) Braden. He attended Maroa Methodist Church and became a member. 

Bob graduated from Maroa High School in 1957. After graduation, he felt he needed to serve his country and joined the United States Air Force. He was assigned to the 5th Motor Transportation Squadron on SAC Project 9709AF, for duty in Korea. After four years of service, he came home and worked on the family farm and trucking business. 

Some years passed, and in the early 1970s Bob bought the family trucking business “Braden Trucking” from his father. Bob traveled all over the United States hauling loads and never meeting a stranger along the way. He touched so many lives and helped so many people. He never thought it to be a big deal to help others, as it was in his mind, just what he was put on this earth to do. He was a proud, honest, extremely hard working, caring, and honored man. He believed in the Lord and that all things were possible through him. 

He is survived by his two children, Daisy (Rodney) Dowell of Maroa, and Christopher (Melissa) Braden of Parkland, Fla.; his five grandchildren, Grace Kelly, Connor Kelly, Luke Kelly, Kane Dowell and Greyson Braden; his three step-grandchildren, Dylan Kushner, Caden Kushner and Devin Kushner; his sister, Ruth Ann (Leroy) Wilson of Clinton; two nephews, Tim (Tina) Wilson of Billings, Mo. and Wes (Paula) Wilson of Clinton; and numerous cousins. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Adam Lincoln Braden; his daughter, Emily Jane Braden; and his niece, Lori Anne Wilson. 

Funeral services to celebrate the life of Robert Braden will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 27, 2018, at Maroa United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 26, 2018, at Moran & Goebel Funeral Home. Burial will be in Maroa Township Cemetery, where full military honors will be conducted by the Macon County Honor Guard. 

Memorials may be directed to The Greater Illinois Chapter - Peoria Office of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation PO Box 9206 Peoria, IL 61612 or the Maroa United Methodist Church 202 North Walnut, Maroa, IL 61756 

The family of Robert Braden is being served by Moran & Goebel Funeral Home, 2801 N. Monroe St. Decatur, IL. 

Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.moranandgoebel.com.