Robert Ellison

Robert G. (Bob) Ellison passed away Saturday, February 17, 2018; his death the result of complications due to Alzheimer’s disease. He was born a few minutes after his twin, Tom, on August 11, 1943, to Robert R. and Helen (Tapscott) Ellison.A life-long resident of Decatur, Bob graduated from Stephen Decatur High School and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Millikin University where he met Judith H. (Judy) Kassnel.They were married February 4, 1967, and were blessed with 51 wonderful years together.Bob worked at A.E. Staley/Tate & Lyle for 28 years and was the manager of compensation and benefits. He then became the director of Central Illinois Health Associates, Inc., managing the Decatur Memorial Hospital PHO for 19 years. He was fulfilled in both capacities as he was able to help others understand important parts of their financial lives. Bob was also on the Staley Credit Union Board from 1984-1989 and 1991-2013, serving as the board president for many years.A member of St. John’s Episcopal Church for over four decades, Bob was very involved. He served in many ways and especially enjoyed his years training acolytes and being a Eucharistic minister/visitor.Bob is survived by his wife, Judy, and his children and grandchildren: Teresa Ellison (Terry Jull), their son Michael, of Mississauga, ON, and her daughter, Amanda of Chicago; Scott (Deanna) and their children Grace and Owen, of Wheaton, IL; and Daniel (Laura) and their daughters Riley and Leah, of Roselle, IL. Also surviving are his siblings: Tom (Jean), John (Toni) and David (Kit) of Decatur; Michael of San Francisco; Jane Grant (Roy Adams) of Silver City, NM; Teresa’s mother Carol Hood of Phoenix, AZ, and nine nieces and nephews. Bob’s parents, one nephew and one niece preceded him in death. Our lives were blessed with his presence, and abundant happy memories also survive him.Visitation will be Friday, February 23, 2018, from 4PM to 8PM at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Saturday, February 24, 2018, at 10AM at St. John’s Episcopal Church.In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church, 130 W. Eldorado, Decatur, IL 62622, or Lincolnshire Activity Fund, c/o Tina Clem, 1215 Arbor Dr., Decatur, IL 62526.The family is especially grateful to the dedicated staff at Lincolnshire Place for the loving care given Bob these past 17 months.A Special Note from Bob's Son, Scott:Dear Dad,I am so fortunate and blessed to be your son. I truly appreciate the role model you have always been. As you grew up, you persevered to become a dedicated, loving, giving, and loyal husband, friend, neighbor, co worker, boss, parishioner, son, brother, uncle, grandfather and, most importantly to me, father. As a father myself and as I’ve helped raise our children through the years, I am pleasantly surprised to discover the reason and reward behind so many the of things you did for me, as I experience them with our children. I look forward to the years to come and the new situations and opportunities that will arise in fatherhood, and thinking fondly of you each time as I connect, reflect and discover why you did the things the way you did and the joys you took from them.You were such a generous provider and supporter of your family, friends, and community. You always gave your time and yourself to do things for many other people. As I have learned of or experienced these instances over the years it makes me so proud of you and so proud to call you my dad. I have missed you for sometime now and even more since you’ve passed. I will always treasure the glances and glimpses afforded us the last few years and I will recall admiringly, the rest of my life, of all you have done before. Until we meet again.Your loving son,Scott "
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