Obituaries
Long-Time EP Resident Robert Joseph 'Bobby Joe' Hettinger Dies At 63
Bobby Joe was an automotive mechanic who was well-known around the Evergreen Park community. A memorial will be held at a later date.
EVERGREEN PARK, IL—Robert Joseph "Bobby Joe" Hettinger, 63, of Evergreen Park, Illinois, passed away peacefully on April 19, 2026.
Born to Robert and Joan Hettinger, Bobby Joe spent his life doing what he loved—working with his hands as a longtime automotive mechanic, a trade he practiced with skill and pride for decades. If he wasn't under the hood of a car, you'd likely find him outside by a bonfire, rod in hand at the water's edge, or simply enjoying the quiet of the outdoors with the people he loved.
He faced life with a steady, no-nonsense wisdom, often summed up in the words he was known for: “It is what it is.” It was more than a saying—it was the way he lived. Calm in the face of whatever came, grateful for what he had, and always moving forward.
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A memorial celebration will take place at a later date.
~Read Bobbie Joe's complete obituary on Legacy
Find out what's happening in Evergreen Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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