Robert "Bob" Francis Henry Meili, age 74, of Arena, passed away at his home Thur. Oct. 12, 2017 surrounded by his wife and children. Bob courageously battled with cancer for over 12 years. He underwent many surgeries and did so without complaint and remained active and involved with his family and friends and always doing for others. He was able to remain at home and cared for by his wife and family during the past 2 months. He was born in Dodgeville to the late Clarence and Margaret (Duncan) Meili. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1965 and served in the DMZ of South Korea until his discharge in 1967.

Bob was married to Mary Peterson and together they farmed the Gib Roelke farm and raised their family in the Arena Township for over 20 years. He worked for many years as Township Patrolman until his retirement in 2003. On January 1, 2001, Bob and June (Stampfli) Hinrichs were united in marriage and his family expanded to include his step daughters Jennifer and Amy. In retirement he remained busy with seasonal work at Premier Co-Op, a job that reminded him of his younger days at the Mazomanie Feed Mill. As a young man he enjoyed competing on the Jack Harrington Rope Pulling Team, playing fast pitch softball, cutting, splitting and stacking wood, woodworking projects as well as throwing horseshoes and playing ball with his kids. He was a member of the Arena Ewing-Olson VFW Post 9336 and the Mazomanie American Legion Post 437.

Bob is survived by his wife June of 16 years; his four children, Lori Dobson of Richland Center, Tina (Peter) Zander, Rich (Darci), and Ryan all of Arena; Mary (Greg) Sawle, the mother of his children; step daughters, Jennifer (Jason) Joyce of Spring Green and Amy (friend Todd)Winter of Waukesha; 10 grandchildren, Eric, Alyson, Danny, Collin, Jenna, Payton, Megan, Brandon, Madelyn, and Gavin; 3 great grandchildren, Meili, Eric and Emilee and one more on the way; two sisters, Rita Duncan of Ohio, and Arlene (Gary) Peterson of Spring Green; a brother, Bill (Terry)Meili of Mazomanie; He is further survived by many other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Yvonne Spangler; a niece, Jennifer Peterson; son in-law, Kevin Winter; step-daughter Megan Hinrichs; brother in-law, Jim Peterson; sister in-law, Darcy Peterson; and nephew, Sean Peterson.

A visitation will be held from 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm on Sat. Oct. 21, 2017 at Hooverson Funeral Home, Hwy 14 West, Mazomanie. A celebration of Bob's Life will be held at 12:00 pm on Sun. Oct. 22, 2017 at Grandma Mary's Café and Brisbane Hall, Hwy 14, Arena. Military Honors will be accorded at 12:00 pm, a visitation will be held from 10:00 am until the time of honors. A luncheon will follow. A private graveside will be held at a later date. Bob will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved him. He will remain in our hearts forever.

Bob's family would like to thank the wonderful care he received from SSM Health at Home Hospice services and Dr. Janelle Hupp.