Dr. Robert E. Pulliam
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Dr. Robert E. Pulliam went to meet his creator at 11:40 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 4, 2008, at Parkway Manor in Marion at the age of 86.
Dr. Pulliam was a graduate of Harrisburg Township High School, class of 1940. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Air Force from September 1942 to February 1946. He then received a bachelor of science degree from Southern Illinois University in 1948. He then graduated from University of Illinois Dental School in 1956. He practiced dentistry first in his office above Moore Pharmacy on the Harrisburg Square and spent his remaining years in practice at 22 South Main Street in Harrisburg. He retired in 1980.
On June 13, 1948, he married Phyllis Ruth Oshel, who preceded him in death on Sept. 22, 1981. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Cecil B. Pulliam and Blanche Coffey Pulliam. He then married Patricia Majors Brines on Oct. 2, 1982, at University Baptist Church in Carbondale. The ceremony was performed by Dr. Myron Dillow, their longtime friend. Bob and Pat just recently celebrated their 25th anniversary. Pat survives him.
Other survivors include his daughter, Cynthia Pulliam Gilliland (Larry); granddaughter, Lindsay (Doug) Gross; grandson, Ryan Pulliam Frohock; great-granddaughter, Mylee Doan Frohock and great-grandson, Tyler Gross; a stepgrandson, Chad (Michelle) Gilliland; two great-stepgrandsons, Sean and Seth; stepson, Douglas (Carol) Brines; two stepdaughters, Kimberly (Russell) Emmons, Jennifer (Harry Jr.) Frier; five stepgrandchildren, Amy Jo Brines, Matt Brines, Brandon Frier, Rachel Frier and Kendell Emmons; and one great-stepgrandchild, Curtis Brines. He is survived by a sister, Maxine Dorris of Austin, Texas and her children, Barbara Lee, Nancy, Bill, Jon, Jennifer and Stuart Dorris. Also surviving are sisters-in-law, Helen (Dee) Tarrant and Shirley (late Val) Oshel; brothers-in-law, Donald (Glenda) Majors of Lakeland, Fla. and Robert (Sophia) Majors of Durham, N.C.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was always a very active member of the First Baptist Church in Harrisburg and served as a member of the deacon body for 40 years and was recently honored as deacon emeritus. He also served as bookkeeper of Sunday school records for over 30 years.
Visitation will be held at Gaskins-Jones Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008. Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church at noon on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008, under the direction of the Rev. Harry Stoorza.
The family requests that donations be made either to First Baptist Church Memorial Fund or Southern Illinois Hospice Inc., in memory of Bob. Envelopes will be available at Gaskins-Jones Funeral Home.