ROBERT D. “PETE” FULKS

Robert “Pete” Fulks

Robert D. “Pete” Fulks, 101, of Rushville died at 8:13 a.m. Nov. 22, 2021, at Culbertson Memorial Hospital in Rushville.

He was born May 18, 1920, in Littleton Township, Schuyler County, the son of Harold Albert and Jeanette Horney Fulks. He married Betty Ballou Andre on June 11, 1950, in Rushville. She preceded him in death on Aug. 28, 2008.

Surviving are one son, Douglas Fulks; and several cousins.

He graduated from Rushville High School with the class of 1938. He attended Western Illinois University in the late 1930s before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force where he was a P51 fighter pilot. During his service in the midst of World War II, he was shot down behind enemy lines in Serbia and spent 65 days making his way back to allied territory. He was presented a purple heart on Sept. 3, 1944, along with many other awards for his distinguished service.

He later received his Bachelors Degree in 1949 from WIU and his Masters Degree in 1957. He worked at the Vermont Mine and then began his career in education. He was the principal of Rushville Junior High School for many years, before retiring in 1980. After retirement, he was employed at the Schuyler State Bank in Littleton, until his final retirement.

He was a member of Rushville First United Methodist Church, Mississippi Valley Teachers Association, Schuyler American Legion Post #4, Masonic Lodge #9 AF and AM, Quincy Consistory AASR and Rushville Commandery. He was inducted into the WIU Athletic Hall of Fame and was a member of the U. S. Baseball team that would have played in the Olympic Games but because of the War, they were canceled.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Rushville City Cemetery with Rev. Stacey Tomich officiating. Burial will follow with military honors by Schuyler American Legion Post #4 and a U.S. Air Force honors detail. There will be no visitation. Worthington Funeral Home in Rushville is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Rushville First United Methodist Church or Scripps Park Golf Course.

Condolences may be sent to www.worthingtonfh.com.

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 11/24/2021