Robert L. Lewis

Robert Lee Lewis, age 83, of Mendota, Illinois, passed away at Unity Point Proctor Medical Center emergency room on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 8:08 pm. Robert was born on October 12, 1932 in Gladstone, Illinois and is the son of Leroy W. and Harriett E. (Jaeger) Lewis. Robert attended G & O High School where he graduated with the class of 1950. After high school, in 1951, Robert entered the United States Army, 82nd Airborne, Special Forces in Ft. Bragg, NC. He later attended Western Illinois University where he graduated with in degree in education in 1958. Bob married Bonnie Jean Wheetley on August 19, 1956 in the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. She preceded him in death on January 1, 2001. Robert moved to DePue, IL where he taught primary and high school classes, coached boy's basketball, and was an active member within the community. He found his permanent home in Mendota, in 1963, teaching at Mendota Community High School for the remainder of his career in education. He taught Industrial Arts, Drivers' Education, and COE (Cooperative Occupational Education). He was always involved with his students, coaching both girls' and boy's sports and sponsoring the VICA club. He was very involved with a variety of statewide teachers of industrial arts organizations. He retired from full-time teaching at MHS in 1996. For several years after his retirement, he was a substitute teacher, doing both short-term and long-term assignments. Robert is survived by three daughters; Melanie Lewis of Sarasota, FL (Wallace Rod), Sandra Murdock of Peru, IL, and Johanna (Rodney) Shipp of LaSalle, IL. He is also survived by five grandsons, two granddaughters, one great-granddaughter, and one great-grandson. Numerous nieces and nephews also are surviving. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Bonnie Jean, one brother Alfred L. "Mike" Lewis, and one sister Betty Lou Allen. Visitation A visitation is planned for 11:00 am until 1:00 pm prior to the service at Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquawka, IL. Graveside Memorial Service A graveside memorial service with military honors is planned for 1:30 pm on Friday, January 29, 2016 at the Oquawka Cemetery. Cremation has been accorded.