Robert R. Barcus, 97, passed away Saturday at the Joliet Community Hospice Home. A decorated World War II veteran, Robert and his wife, Sylvia, recently celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary. The couple spoke fondly of their anniversary celebration gathering with friends and family. Robert joined the U.S. Army in 1943 and served as a tank gunner in the Battle of Omaha Beach. He also fought in the Battle of Hurtgen Forest and the Battle of the Bulge. He received a total of six awards for his service. Earlier this year, Robert was presented with the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with a silver star for serving in five campaigns or major battles in World War II. The award, which was never given when he returned from service, was presented this past February by U.S. Senator Mark Kirk during a surprise ceremony at the Willow Falls Senior Living Community in Crest Hill. Robert and his wife returned to Normandy years after the war. He also took an Honor Flight to visit the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C., with his granddaughter in 2011. Robert also had fond memories of working on the railroad. He began as a fireman on the Rock Island steam engines in 1942. He later became an engineer on diesel and steam engines and was promoted in 1966 to road foreman of engines and eventually worked for Metra when it took over the Rock Island Railroad's commuter operations. When he retired in 1994 at the age of 75, Robert was Metra's first 50-year employee. Robert and his wife traveled the world together. He enjoyed spending time with his family, working on cars, watching 'MASH' and the 'Lawrence Welk Show.' He was once quoted as saying "There's nothing wrong with getting old when you get good grandkids." He had seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Sylvia, daughter Mary Ann (Joe) Fabbre, and his son, William (Mary Ann) Barcus; his beloved grandchildren, Joe (Alice) Fabbre, Jody (Brad) Woodley, John Boyd, Jennifer (Steve) Roake, Jeff Boyd, Julie (Bill) Adelmann and Robert Barcus; and his great-grandchildren Anthony and Ashley Fabbre, Kendall and Kiley Adelmann and Gillian Roake. Funeral services will be held at Carlson-Holmquist-Sayles Funeral Home, 2300 Black Road, Joliet, on Thursday at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood. Visitation services will be held on Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Joliet Community Hospice Home, Development Office, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, Il. 60431 or to Honor Flight at www.honorflight.org.