Robert Allen McGrew

Robert (Bob) Allen McGrew

Born August 10, 1936 to Horace Bernard McGrew and Mattie Lelia (Coonce) McGrew in Poplar Bluff, MO and passed away August 20, 2025. He grew up in Clay City, IL and had lived the past 36 years in Marion, IL. He was married to his childhood sweetheart, Margaret Josephine Sawyer, for 33 years. He was a member of Audubon Heights Baptist Church in Colorado Springs, CO. He had been a member of the Masonic Lodge in Marion, IL and was a life member of the National Rifle Association (NRA) since 1977. Bob was a retired pistolesmith and well known for his custom gun work. He had been published in multiple sporting/gun magazines. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and target shooting.

He is survived by his children, Cynthia McGrew (Dow) of Indianapolis, IN, Terry McGrew Putzstuck of Gray, TN, and Rodney (Helen) McGrew of Gray, TN; grandchildren, Scott (Robin) Dow, Steven (Christine) Dow, Shawn (Angela Otterman) Dow and Sara (Dow) (Alan) Armstrong of Indiana. Bobbie (McGrew) (Jarrod) Slagle, Shannon (McGrew) (David) Diehl, Ryan (Lauren) McGrew and Shelby McGrew of Tennessee; great-grandchildren, Madison, Zachary, Trever, Nathan, Zoe, Aiden, Zane, Carson, Payton, Adriana, and Chelsea of Indiana; Ryley, Griffin, Piper, Rowan and Reagan of Tennessee; great-great-grandchildren, Brayden, Skylar, Evelyn and Sterling of Indiana.

Bob was preceded in death by his father, Horace Bernard McGrew; stepfather, Russell Allen Brown; mother, Mattie Lelia Coonce McGrew Brown; son-in-law, Nicholas James Putzstuck and former wife, Margaret (Peggy) Josephine Sawyer McGrew Coombes.

No local services are planned. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the NRA or charity of your choice.

Ministry of comfort lovingly entrusted to Southern Cremation and Burial Services of Murphysboro, Illinois.