Robert W. Elslager "da Grouch," age 73, a resident of Winfield for 49 years, died Wednesday, January 28 at Wynscape Health Care Center in Wheaton. He was born on November 2, 1935 in Chicago to Albert and Marie (nee Koenig) Elslager. He attended Spaulding Crippled Children's School until the eighth grade. He graduated from Farragut High School in Chicago where he was on the swimming team and was Student Council President. On May 18, 1957 he married Shelby Ann Meyers.

Bob was an Eagle Scout and was an advocate of Boy Scouts throughout his life. He worked for 30 years at Ameritech and most recently has worked part time for Doctor's Data Inc. for 15 years. He enjoyed spending his winters in Las Vegas and enjoyed Bingo.

He was a loving husband and best friend to Shelby for 51 years. He was the father of four wonderful children, Barbara Ann (John) Yep, Leanne Marie (Mike) Glabinski, Sharon Jean (Jeff) Hoppe, and Robert Alan (Carol) Elslager. The joy of his life was his eight grandchildren, Daniel, Kathleen, Gregory, Colin, Alaina, Conner, Nina, and Alex. He is also survived by his brother Albert (Vi) Elslager and his niece, Kim (Paul) Jackson and nephew Mark (Pam) Elslager.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Frankie.

Visitation will be held on Saturday January 31 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 0S233 Church St. in Winfield followed by a mass at 11:30 a.m.. Interment will be private at Assumption Cemetery in Winfield.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be directed to the American Cancer Society.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.