Robert Joseph Vail

Robert Joseph Vail, 59, of Auburn, formerly of Tiskilwa, passed away Friday, February 10, 2017, at St. Johns Hospital. He was born July 3, 1957 in Princeton, to the late Roger and Elizabeth Linke Vail. Robert graduated from Tiskilwa High School and received a Bachelors degree in Education from Illinois State University. He taught special education at Taylorville High School until he retired, with 20+ years of service. Bob was much loved by his students and their families. Even in retirement he kept in contact with many of his former students. His kindness touched the lives of many people. He was an accomplished writer and shared the spiritual insights gleaned from his life experiences. He enjoyed learning about his family history through the study of genealogy and shared this vast information with his extended family. Bob enjoyed being outdoors working in the yard. Robert marred Rowena Rock in 1996, in Springfield. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 20 years, Rowena of Auburn; brothers, Ken Vail of Quincy, John (Myrna) Vail of Oro Valley, AZ; sisters, Virginia (Allen) Gustafson of Princeton, Peggy (Roger) Moreland of Owatonna, MN, Sandy (Don) Elmore of Princeton, Pam (Larry) Fischer of El Paso, IL; aunt, Viola Linke of East Carondalet, IL; uncle Robert Gustafson of Malden, IL; kitty, Tabitha. His family will greet friends, Monday, February 13, at Staab Polk Memorial Home, 8855 Rt. 4, Chatham, from 4pm until the time of his Celebration of Life, at 6:30pm, for the reading of scripture and sharing stories of Bobs life. Visitation will additionally be held Tuesday, February 14, from 9am until the time of the Funeral Mass at 10am, at Holy Cross Parish, 125 East Washington Street, Auburn, IL, 62615, with Fr. James Palakudy, SAC officiating. Cremation rites will be accorded by Cremation Services of Central Illinois, 8855 State Route 4, Chatham, after services. Private family burial at Girard Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Kids Are Kids, PO Box 116, Taylorville, IL, 62568; APL, 1001 Taintor Road, Springfield, IL, 62702; any charity of choice working directly with persecuted refugees, to ease their suffering.