Robert Allen Dunton

Born February 21, 1950 in Canton to Robert Eugene and Doris Jean (Weaver) Dunton, he married Barbara Ann Schoonover on July 31, 1976 in Mascoutah. She survives.

Also surviving are their two daughters, Melissa (Ryan) Dillinger of Charlotte, North Carolina and Kimberly (Mitchell) Braam of Wheaton; four grandchildren, Caroline Braam, Theodore Braam, Brock Dillinger and Drew Dillinger; two sisters, Shirley Duez of Westminster, Colorado and Linda Edwards of Spearfish, South Dakota and two brothers, James (Marilyn) Dunton of Brighton, Colorado and Roger Dunton of Wisconsin.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brother in-laws and one nephew.

Robert graduated from Cuba High School ’68 and Western Illinois University ‘72 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Economics and Business Administration. He was a member of Illinois Bankers Association and the Illinois and American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. He served on the board of The University of Illinois Extension Service.

He was a member of the Manito Masonic Lodge No. 476 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons in Forest City, Heart of Illinois Shriners and Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Peoria as a 32nd Degree, where his family received the Family Recognition Award in 2001.

After college he worked as a Farm Manager with the Havana National Bank for 10 years. He left the bank then to pursue a full-time career in farming. He worked with both John Deere and Elanco in new product development throughout the years. He produced and raised popcorn, receiving several awards. He farmed in Mason, Fulton, and Tazewell County for 25 years, retiring in 2005.

He and his wife moved off the farm to Pekin where he pursued hobbies including golfing, fishing, traveling abroad and wintering at their home in Florida.

Robert attended St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Pekin and First United Methodist Church in Havana.

His graveside service along with Masonic Rites will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2026 at Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin. Pastor Judy Doyle will officiate.

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

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mayo Clinic in Robert Dunton’s name to further pancreatic studies at 201 1st Street, Rochester, Minnesota 55902, online by https://philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/donateMC or by phone 507-284-2264 or 855-852-8129.

To express condolences online, visit Preston-Hanley.com