ROBERT E. NIEMAN, 78 FREEPORT - Robert E. Nieman, 78, of Freeport, and formerly of Rock Grove, died Sunday January 4, 2015 at FHN Memorial Hospital. Robert was born on June 9, 1936 in Ridott, the son of Jacob and Ethel (Gantz) Nieman. Robert farmed the Ridott area before working at Kelly-Springfield from 1968 to 1998. Robert married Dixie L. Baker on July 19, 1957 in Ridott. Mrs. Nieman died on March 16, 1995. Robert was a member of the Dakota Rock Grove United Methodist Church. He enjoyed spending his free time fishing and being with family. Surviving are two sons, Robert (Jodi) Nieman and Richard Nieman both of Pearl City; daughters, Kathy (William) Griffin Jr. of Freeport and Peggy (Robert) Bendel of Loves Park; sister, Carol Dinderman of Freeport; five grandchildren, Billy (Susan) Griffin, Kari Griffin, Brooke Griffin, Nikki (Zach) Palas, and Kyle Nieman. Also surviving are eight great-grandchildren; William, Wesley, Taylor, Keaghan, Kinsley, Kolton, Graci and Dixi. Preceded in death by his parents and wife. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, at Burke Tubbs Funeral Home, Freeport. the Rev. Nancy Vidad will officiate. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 until 7 p.m. at Burke Tubbs. Memorial has been established in Robert's memory. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Please sign the guestbook and share a memory at www.burketubbs.com.