Bobbie Jo Hall

Bobbie Jo Hall of Wonder Lake, Illinois passed away peacefully on August 30, 2024, at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital after battling acute myeloid leukemia for a year. A true warrior demonstrating remarkable courage and resilience that inspired everyone around her.

Bobbie was born and raised in Galesburg, Illinois attending Galesburg schools and graduating in 1967 from Galesburg High School. She then went on to attend Illinois State University graduating in 1972 with a degree in physical education.

She worked in the McHenry County School District at Bush Elementary School in Johnsburg, Illinois. Her love for teaching children and at some point, their children can be seen by the many letters from kids and staff that she saved and memories they have shared.

Bobbie lived life to the fullest everyday-often seen wearing a T-Shirt that read, “Life is Good”. She was an avid runner and in later years a walker. In her early years, she would always be training to attend runs and marathons in her area. Once while visiting in Las Vegas with family, she entered the Las Vegas Marathon. She had also run the Chicago Marathon placing in both races in her age group to be qualified to be invited to run the Boston Marathon, which she ran several years. Being very good at what she did can be seen by the vast number of trophies and medals she left behind.

Bobbie was a true lover of animals. Always feeding a stray cat and making with friends, cat houses for feral cats to keep them out of the weather and giving them a home.

After retirement she went in with her friend, Marilyn beginning a dog walking business. Always documenting the times, she fed them and how far they walked. She had three special cats in her life-Annie, Murphy and Maci and two special dogs, Kali and Pip who preceded her in death.

Everyday was a celebration of life for Bobbie and she never met a stranger, always stopping to chat with her neighbors or her daily walks with a smile that would always brighten your day. No matter how you were feeling she always made you feel good and would certainly leave you knowing you were going to have a good day. Often her daily walks were with her neighbor, Jim. Those fortunate enough to have known Bobbie will remember her as a loving, caring and courageous woman who brought light and laughter to all she met. Her legacy of love and cheerfulness will be cherished and celebrated in the memories she has left behind.

Bobbie was the daughter of Robert “Bob” Hall and Joan Bickert Petersen. She leaves behind three very special friends, Marilyn Mosier, Janet Long and Candy Purdy, whom she met over 50 years ago at college and spent many life adventures with and who cared for her the last year of her life. Her neighbor of 40 years, Jim Fusinato; friends from out-of-state, who she visited often, Lou Ann Pope in Wyoming, Cathy Harper, Sandy Kathamegos and Charlene Sparks all in Arizona and Margie Rodgers in Wisconsin and two longtime friends from college, Joan Nagler and Kerry Waser in Illinois.

Bobbie is also survived by her four sisters, Bicky Pickrel of Knoxville, Illinois, Jan Caslin of Lake City, Florida, Tammie Hall of Live Oak, Florida and Toni Sprenger of Greeley, Colorado and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, her maternal grandparents, Frank and Vivien Petersen and Paternal grandparents, Verle and Dessie Hall.

The family would like to thank her transplant physician, Dr. Jacob Bitran, the many nurses and staff at Advocate Lutheran General who Bobbie admired and trusted throughout her illness. Also, her primary care physician, Dr. Melinda Einfalt of Barrington, Illinois. We are forever grateful.

Always live life to the fullest as Bobbie did-enjoying every moment with friends and family treating everyone with respect. Bobbie ALWAYS said, Life’s A Journey-Wear your comfortable shoes!!!

Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremations Services Galesburg Chapel has been assisting her family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.h-p-w.com

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