Robert J. “Bob” Thebeau, 74, of De Soto died Sept. 14, 2026, in Fredericktown. Mr. Thebeau served four years in the Air Force, stationed for 13 months of that time at Suwon Air Base, South Korea. He was baptized Feb. 23, 1975, at Twin Oak Free Will Baptist Church. He then held several positions at Twin Oak, including Sunday School superintendent, Sunday School teacher, song leader, deacon and C.T.S. president. He began preaching in 1979. Also known as “Bro. Bob,” he pastored five churches: Oak Hill, Old Bethel, Twin Oak, First Free Will-De Soto and Leadington. He also volunteered with many of the Free Will Youth Camps and served on the National Home Mission Board and the Missouri State Home Mission Board. He preached more than 200 revivals in seven states and New Brunswick, Canada. He also held nursing home services while serving the church in De Soto. Born Oct. 13, 1951, in Granite City, Ill., he was the son of the late Joseph Alvey and Mildred Lorine (Conway) Thebeau.
He is survived by his wife: Kathryn Joan “Kathy” (Huffman) Thebeau of De Soto, whom he married on April 15, 1971, at Mill Creek Free Will Baptist Church; four children: Faron W. (Abigail) Thebeau of Rolla, Ben Thebeau of Fredericktown, Brett (Katie) Thebeau of De Soto and Amy (Sean) Kelly of St. Charles; 15 grandchildren: Chance (Carmen) Thebeau, Levi (Ashley) Thebeau, Tara (Dakota) Deer, Eli Thebeau, Payton Thebeau, Itziar Thebeau, Truman Thebeau, Dominic Thebeau, Sadie Thebeau, Cash Kelly, Wade Kelly, Reese Kelly, Marissa (Hayden) Davis, Krystin (Tanner) Emring and Brooke (John) Blum; three great-grandchildren: Parker, Lincoln and Winnie; two sisters: Kay Johnson of Anna, Ill., and Susan (Kenny) Alley of Fredericktown; and two sisters-in-law: Sarah Thebeau of Farmington and Penny Thebeau of Columbia.
He was preceded in death by two brothers: Gary Thebeau and Raymond Thebeau; and a brother-in-law: Jack Johnson.
Visitation is scheduled from 9 a.m. until a funeral service at noon Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Journey Community Church, 12312 Hwy. 21, in De Soto. Interment will be in Twin Oak Cemetery in Fredericktown. Memorials may be made to the Missouri State Association of Free Will Baptists-Show Me Plan. Arrangements are under the direction of Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home in De Soto.