Lamar Hetzler

Lamar Hetzler, 91, of Robinson, IL, passed away on August 6, 2025, at Crawford Memorial Hospital in Robinson, IL. He was born on October 3, 1933, in Stoy, IL, and though he and his family lived in Patoka for a time, much of his childhood was spent in the Stoy and Oblong areas. He graduated from Oblong High School in 1952, and by the following year, he had enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He served as a plane mechanic for two years in Germany, later continuing in the Reserves until 1961. His love for country ran deep. He was proud of his service, proud of his flag, and proud of the brotherhood he found in the Robinson V.F.W. For the last decade-plus, he gave his time and energy to their museum, served as chaplain, and stood honor guard at countless services. On April 22, 2023, he participated in the Honor Flight of Southern Indiana, traveling with other proud veterans to our nation’s capital to visit its monuments. After years of politely resisting the invitation, the experience became one of the great highlights of his life.

Following his time in the service, he ran his own carpentry business before working at Briggs Pottery for 35 years, mostly in quality control. When the plant closed, he kept busy with side jobs and eventually landed at the Robinson Public Library as a custodian. No matter the role, he brought the same steady work ethic and competence that defined everything he did. He could fix almost anything. He had that rare, intuitive mechanical ability: an eye for what was broken and a mind that could figure it out. He kept things long after others would’ve tossed them, always saying he’d fix it later (even if he wouldn’t). Lamar was the kind of man who’d wear suspenders and a belt (just in case). And once, when his ladder fell while he was on the roof, those suspenders saved the day, having used them to lasso the ladder back up to him! Needless to say, he was as full of grit as he was resourceful!

His days were often spent tinkering with his Jeep, heading out to fish, or striking up conversations wherever he went. His stories weren’t about himself, but he sure had plenty when it came to his family. He adored Barb, the girl he married at Brooks Air Force Base when she was almost fifteen and he was twenty-one. It wasn’t a shotgun wedding, but the beginning of a lifelong commitment rooted in love and admiration. Even after seven decades, he still looked at her like the young man who first fell in love. Lamar’s love for his kids and grandkids was just as steady. He showed up for ballgames and birthdays, for hard talks and helping hands. No matter what was going on in their lives—good, bad, or messy—he was in their corner. Always. In this way, he gave them a beautiful picture of the One he gave his life to years ago. Jesus.

His faith journey began early, planted in him by a mother who made sure he was in church at Oblong First Christian every Sunday. She wanted him to know Jesus...and he did. That seed of faith grew deep roots, and he carried it forward, doing for the next generations what she had done for him. He brought his kids and grandkids to church with him (whether they were in the mood for it or not). Because Lamar didn’t just believe in Jesus, he trusted Him. He followed Him. And he wanted the people he loved most to do the same. He served as an elder at First Christian Church in Bridgeport for over 40 years, shepherding others with the same steady hand he brought to everything else in life. And even when he stepped away from leadership, he remained faithful, returning to the church in Oblong where it all began, grateful for a shorter drive but still showing up with that same devotion to his Lord and Savior.

But his ministry didn’t end when the church service did. Lamar took his faith to the margins, into places most people overlooked. For over two decades, he served as a volunteer chaplain at the Robinson Correctional Center. Through his work with Kingdom Builders, he preached good news to the imprisoned and baptized over 500 men, including 52 in a single day! He didn’t preach with theatrics. He didn’t push or pressure. He simply made Jesus known with his time, with his kindness, and with his presence.

And now, the man who spent years showing up for others, who sat with the forgotten, stood by the grieving, and walked alongside the weary, is himself in the presence of the One he served so faithfully. And we can rest in that. Because Lamar’s hope wasn’t in what he could do, it was in who he belonged to. And now, he is home.

Lamar is survived by his wife of 71 years, Barb Hetzler; by his children, Alan Hetzler, Deborah Hetzler Seits, Eric & Carol Hetzler, and Shawn & Jody Hetzler; by his grandchildren, Cindy Ewing, Ashley Childress, Zachary Hetzler, Austin Hetzler, Caleb Hetzler, Kelsey Hetzler, Matthew Hetzler, and Emma Seits; by sixteen great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren (with one on the way); as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John L. & Elnora (Daughtery) Hetzler, as well as by his brother & sister-in-law, David & Judy Hetzler.

A time of visitation will be held from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 11th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Military honors will immediately follow, conducted by the combined units of the U.S. Air Force, Robinson V.F.W. Post #4549, the Robinson American Legion Post #69, and the Flat Rock American Legion Post #132. Funeral services will follow, with Pastors David Vaughn and Jim Moye officiating. For those unable to attend in person, a live stream of the service will be available at www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com/live-stream/live-stream. Memorials may be made to the VFW Transportation Fund, with envelopes available at the funeral home.