Robert G Calhoun

Born May 23, 1928 in Mattoon to Orland Francis "Buck" and Edna Irene (Henderson) Calhoun, he married Barbara Jane Hill on September 24, 1950 in Pekin. She survives.

Also surviving are one son, Michael Gene (Linda) Calhoun of Marquette Heights; one daughter, Roberta Lynn Lee of Marquette Heights; four grandsons, Vancil Gene Calhoun, Victor Ray Calhoun, Matthew Holin Lee, and Adam Joseph Lee; three step-grandchildren, Matthew Hill, Nathan Hill, and Krista (Bill) Pope; five great-grandchildren; and one brother, Wayne (Susan) Calhoun of Fort Worth, Texas. All of them were his pride and joy.

His parents and one brother and sister-in-law, Lynn and Wilma Calhoun, preceded him in death.

He was a 1946 graduate of Mattoon High School and a 1948 graduate of Bradley University in Peoria, where he received an associate's degree in mechanical drawing. While at Bradley, he was a member of Rho Delta fraternity (now Delta Upsilon).

A United States Army veteran of the Korean War, he served from November 3, 1950 to November 4, 1952. He was stationed in Zell am See, Austria and attained the rank of Sergeant First Class.

Bob worked for Caterpillar, Inc. for 36 years, retiring in 1984 as a claims adjuster at the Pioneer Parkway office. He had done mechanical drawings for the Caterpillar dealer's catalog.

A resident of Marquette Heights since January 1953, he served the city as a volunteer fireman for 10 years, building inspector, water meter reader, and president of the library board.

He was a member of First United Presbyterian Church in Pekin and a loyal member of its Schooners group. He was a former member of First United Presbyterian Church in Marquette Heights. He was a past president of the Marquette Heights Lion's Club and helped build a six foot lion and German shepherd dog for the parade floats. He was one of the main builders of the park pavilion on lower LaSalle Boulevard in Marquette Heights.

Bob's main hobby was collecting, repairing, and showing antique gas engines. He could repair just about anything! His favorite sports were tennis and bowling which he participated in for many years. He was glued to the television during Wimbledon. Bob loved people and talking to them, but most of all, his family.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, November 1, 2007at the First United Presbyterian Church in Pekin. The Rev. Stephen B. Whitaker will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesdayat the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Thursday at the church. Burial will be at Lakeside Cemetery in Pekin, where military rites will be accorded by the United States Army.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Presbyterian Church, 1717 Highwood Avenue, Pekin, IL 61554 or the Williamsfield Public Library District, Post Office Box 268, Williamsfield, IL 61489, where he and his wife donated books and watched it grow.