Robert G Blair

Born August 10, 1933 in Chandlerville to Russell W. and Hildred R. (Moffitt) Blair, he married Shirley Deane Thrasher on October 4, 1952 in Jacksonville. She died December 1, 2021 in Pekin. He was also preceded in death by his parents.

Surviving are three daughters, Diana (Mike) Harvey, Janis (Scott) Elmore and Linda (Randy) Bowen, all of Pekin; ten grandchildren, Andrew (Johnna Billingsley) Harvey, Nicholas (Allison) Harvey, Caitlyn (Cole) Radford, Tyler (Jen) Harvey, Aleigh (Matt) Stauffer, Ivy (Matt) Grashoff, Erin (Brian) Goudie, Corey (Nikki) Elmore, Stephanie (Sean) Ray and Matthew (Amanda) Holmes; one step-grandchild, Ashley (Jake) Schneider; 15 great-grandchildren, Keller Gardner, Max Harvey, Anna Harvey, Casey (Rushmi) Stauffer, Jesse (Miranda) Stauffer, Carli (Conner) Lidiak, Jae Grashoff, Brady Grashoff, Emma Grashoff, Ryder Shaw, Macy Shaw, Jackson Elmore, Brody Elmore, Evy Elmore and Dani Jo Brown; seven step-great-grandchildren, Kiley Howard, Giana Goudie, Garin Goudie, Avery Schneider, Isaac Schneider, Cole Schneider, Tyler (Felicia) Billingsley; six great-great-grandchildren, Micah Stauffer, Laila Stauffer, Liam Stauffer, Lily Stauffer, Milo Stauffer and Carson Lidiak; one step-great-great grandchild, Wyatt Billingsley and one sister Merle Fricke of Huntsville, Alabama.

Robert was a veteran of the Korean War serving in the United States Army.

He was a former member of the Pekin Jaycees, Pekin Moose Family Center #916, Pekin Elks Lodge #1271 and Sunset Hills Golf Club.

Robert had worked at Caterpillar, Inc. in East Peoria for 39 years in Manufacturing and Corp. Property, retiring in 1987.

He was passionate about spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and being a “Papa” to them all. He also enjoyed traveling, playing golf, working in his yard and loved his dog, Gracie.

Robert was a former member of First Christian Church in Pekin and attended Northwoods Community Church in Peoria.

A private graveside service for both Robert and Shirley will be at Lakeside Cemetery in Pekin. Rev. Judy Doyle will officiate. Military rites for Robert will be provided by the United States Army and Tazewell Military Rites Team.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 Taps Lane, Pekin, IL 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com