Bob was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Joann Ronquest Dalton in 2013, infant son Thomas C. Dalton in 1962, and son Patrick J. Dalton in 2011. He was also preceded in death by his parents Florence and Ben Dalton, his siblings, Dorothy, Gene, Skip, Nita, and Donna, his daughter-in-law Gloria Amos Dalton, and a grandson Hayden John Herr.
He is survived by sons Michael (Etta) Dalton and Scott Dalton, and daughters Debbie (Ray) Biver, Robbie (John) Herr, Karen (Chuck) Hinson, and Laura (Matt) Coy, 31 grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Also surviving is his childhood and best friend Jim Kennedy, and also family friend and “adopted” daughter Debbie Brooks Smith.
Bob grew up in the St. Louis Soulard area during The Great Depression and shared many memories about growing up during that era. He taught us by word and example to work hard and showed us the way to live a good life. He married the love of his life, Joann Ronquest Dalton, on October 7, 1950. Their marriage ceremony was performed at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church, 11th and Lafayette, St. Louis, by Joann’s brother Reverend John Ronquest. Bob and Joann enjoyed 63 happy years of marriage.
Bob was always a hard worker and went to work at the young age of 15. He was too young to serve the military at the start of WWII, so he did the next best thing and went to work for Magic Chef Stove Company, building bombs for use by our military. When he turned 18, he served with the National Guard at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. After serving the military, he resumed his employment with Magic Chef, building stoves this time, until the company stopped St. Louis production in 1956. He then worked for Laclede Gas Company until he retired as a Leak Truck Foreman in 1988.
During his lifetime Bob enjoyed gardening and was known for his tomato plants, rose bushes, and lush lawn. He enjoyed woodworking and gave Christmas gifts of beautiful Nativities, as well as Santas with reindeers, to friends and family. He was an excellent chess player and taught most of his children and grandchildren to play. He was especially proud when his son Scott achieved Master status. Bob was a sports enthusiast and especially loved the sport of baseball and the St. Louis Cardinals. In later years, when it became difficult for him to get out of the house, he still kept busy by watching Jeopardy, old Western movies, working crossword puzzles, and keeping up with sports by reading the news on his laptop every morning.
Our Dad was the Patriarch of our family, which we lovingly call The Dalton Gang. We will miss him but know he is with Mom now. He always said “she is up there shaking her finger, saying - what is taking you so long!” He missed her very much. We take comfort knowing they are reunited.
The family wishes to acknowledge and thank Dr. Laura Crandall and her staff at Esse Health in Shiloh for the kind and excellent care given to him during the last years of his life, and also Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc. for their compassionate care given to him in the last days of his life.
Memorial Gathering will be Tuesday, July 28th, 2020 from 5:00pm to 7:00 pm at Lake View Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, Illinois.
Memorial Service will be Tuesday, July 28th, 2020 at 7:00 pm at Lake View Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, Illinois.
Memorials in honor of Robert Dalton may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc., 305 S. Illinois, Belleville, Illinois 62220.
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