ROBERT "BOB" CARLISLE, age 76, formerly of Charleston, died Saturday, November 7, 2015, at his residence in Benton, KY.

He was born March 26, 1939 in Charleston to the late Andrew Carlisle and the late Etta Banks Carlisle Michael. He moved from Charleston to Bardwell, KY in 2006 where he lived until moving to Benton, KY in 2013.

A 1957 graduate of Charleston High School, he was an avid participant in school athletics, especially football and track, and set several records as a pole vaulter in local and state competitions. Throughout his life he enjoyed being outdoors whether it was in sport competitions, hunting, fishing, or gardening. His grandchildren were always entertained with backyard adventures such as digging a hole, lining it with plastic, filling it with water and commandeering styrofoam coolers as boats. His enjoyment of life included volunteering for service in area nursing homes, and delivering meals for the Charleston Nutrition Center for over 10 years. Known for his delicious barbeque, he owned and operated The Hickory Pit in Sikeston and then worked as a life insurance agent until his retirement. Though raised a Baptist, at age 19 he joined St. Henry Catholic Church in Charleston. He didn't limit nurturing his spiritual walk to one church but attended several congregations where he enjoyed the fellowship of believers.

On October 7, 1985 he married Deanna Lovett Galemore who survives of the home.

Also surviving are two children, Susan (Brian) Cooper of Sikeston, and Chris (Lynn) Carlisle of Hillsboro; four step children, Donna (Kevin) Butler of Columbia, S.C., Dana (Shawn) McClain of Sikeston, Cindy (Todd) Brown of Benton, KY and Justin Galemore of Cape Girardeau; two half -brothers, Charlie Carlisle of Charleston and Steven Carlisle of Bolivar; 15 grandchildren, Garrett, Kelsie and Hannah Cooper, Casey Carlisle, Grant, Travis, and Logan Butler, Emily, Edward and Gary McClain, Max and Jack Brown, Andrew Galemore, Gabrielle Galemore Downey, Jessica Galemore; and two great grandchildren, Hudson and Holden Butler.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one half- sister, Teresa Carlisle.

Visitation will be held on Saturday. November 14, 2015, at the McMikle Funeral Home from 11:00 am until the funeral hour at 1:00 pm. Rev. Larry Potts, pastor of Mighty Rivers Church in Cairo, IL, will officiate.

Interment will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Garrett Cooper, Andrew Galemore, Grant Butler, Travis Butler, Edward McClain, Logan Butler, Max Brown, Jack Brown, and Gary McClain.

Honorary pallbearers will be his granddaughters, Kelsie Cooper, Hannah Cooper, Casey Carlisle, Emily McClain, Gabrielle Galemore Downey, and Jessica Galemore.