Robert N. "Neil" Carlson, 86, of Andalusia, passed away on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City.  A Funeral service for Neil will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at the Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 201 4 ^th Ave. E., Milan.  Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island.  Memorials may be made in care of the family for a fund to be designated later.

Neil was born October 22, 1931 at his Grandmother's home in Moline to Robert L. and Irene Jessie (Wheeler) Carlson.  He married his lifelong sweetheart Joan DeWispelaere on November 17, 1956 in Moline.  Joan passed away on May 19, 2005.  Bob served his country in the U.S. Air Force in Germany during the Korean War, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant.  He worked for the former Illinois Bell Telephone Company and retired from Ameritech in 1988 after 37 years.  He then worked contract for Ameritech, and U.S. West for 4 years.  Bob greatly enjoyed hunting for Native American artifacts and working with the blind by repairing Talking books.

Bob was a former Secretary of the Andalusia Fire Department, President of the Andalusia Lions Club, Trustee for the Village of Andalusia and he was appointed Village President for one year.  Bob was a member of the Masonic Doric Lodge, Quad City Archaeological Society and Telephone Pioneers.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, Steve (Jeanne) Carlson, Reynolds; James (Sandy) Carlson, Bettendorf, Iowa; Robert B. (Lori) Carlson, Springboro, Ohio; and John (Tammy) Carlson, Andalusia; grandchildren, Amanda (Remington Nimrick) Carlson, Moline; Stacey (Scott) Carlson, Illinois City; William (Amanda) Johnson, Olathe, Kan.; Steve (Tammy Jo) Carlson, Taylor Ridge; Jamin Mootz, Houston, TX; Jerin Mootz, Moline; Tambi Rosenthal, LeClaire, Iowa; Kala Bectton, Texas; and Tim, Kate, and Andy Carlson, Springboro, Ohio;  17 great grandchildren, his best friend, Cooper (a little dog) and many other loving family members and friends

He was preceded by his wife, Joan; son, Mike, and his parents.