Robert Sleeper

Robert Wilson Sleeper, 94, of Decatur, IL, passed away Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at Decatur Memorial Hospital. Memorial services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 10, at Bethlehem Presbyterian Church with visitation from 11:30 a.m. until time of service. Brintlinger & Earl Funeral Homes, Decatur, are assisting the family with the arrangements. Memorials may be made to Bethlehem Presbyterian Church or Millikin University Fine Arts Program. Mr. Sleeper was born March 2, 1918, in Mt. Zion, IL, the son of Robert E. and Lola (Wilson) Sleeper. He married Patricia Howard Bowers December 4, 1964. She preceded him in death. Mr. Sleeper graduated from Mt. Zion High School in 1936. He attended Millikin University, and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from Northeastern University, Washington, D.C. Mr. Sleeper served with the U.S. Army from 1943-1946. He was drafted as a Private and rose to rank of Captain, and retired from the U.S. Air Force Reserve in 1957. He was a certified airline transport pilot and flew his own planes from 1954-2003. In 1979, he flew his Beachcraft Bonanza, solo, across the North Atlantic Ocean (following Charles Lindbergh's route in 1927). He and Mrs. Sleeper then traveled throughout Europe in his plane. He also was a volunteer pilot who flew donated human organs to the recipient. Mr. Sleeper worked as a certified public accountant in Maryland and Illinois. From 1942-1949 he was an agent for the Internal Revenue Service in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, MD, and Decatur, IL. In 1950, he opened Sleeper Accounting Firm which later expanded to become Sleeper, Disbrow, Morrison, Tarro & Lively. He retired in 1985. Mr. Sleeper was a member of AMBUCS (American Business Clubs) and EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association). Survivors include his son: James Sleeper of Hollywood, FL; grandsons: Josh (Jamie) Sleeper of Dallas, TX, Justin (Jessica) Sleeper of Searcy, AR; 3 great-grandchildren: Jordan, Jada, of Searcy, AR; Pierson, of Dallas, TX, and niece: Lucille (J.R.) Tucker, of Phoenix, AZ. Mr. Sleeper was preceded in death by his parents, wife: Patricia; brother: Wilbur Sleeper; sisters: Fay Sleeper, Ferne Easter, Helen Fulte Freeland, and nephew: Bob Fulte. "
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