Robert Allison

Robert Michael Allison, 68, died February 3, 2011 in the comfort of his home with his family by his side after a two years courageous battle with cancer. He married Nancy Johnson on June 6, 1964 at Manns Chapel near Rossville, Illinois. She survives. He is also survived by two sons, Brady (Anna) Allison of Janesville, IL and Kevin (Kim) Allison of Louisville, KY; granddaughters Kaylyn and Kolleen Allison; one sister Sharon Boes of Danville; three aunts, Doris (Keith) Goodner of Danville, Frannie Allison of Virginia, and Shirley (Bill) Lucas of Danville, beloved sister-in-laws, cousins, nephews, and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gene and Helen Allison, paternal grandparents Bertha and Arthur Allison; maternal grandparents Hazel and Clarence McCarley, uncles Gene and Lynn McCarley, and Arthur W. Allison, and aunt Zelda Siddens. He was born January 21, 1943 in Danville, Illinois. He graduated from Henning Grade School and Bismarck High School. He served three years, nine months, and 29 days in the U.S. Navy making three trips to Vietnam. Robert was a hard working worker all his life. As a child he worked on the familys farm helping with the dairy cattle. He was active in 4-H and worked at BB Corner in high school. Robert worked at General Electric, Palmer Bank, and Hyster before joining the Navy. Robert graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a BA in Accounting in 1973 and returned to the Henning area where he farmed for 30 years and worked at various part-time jobs thru the years. He drove a school bus, a semi, and a dump truck, baled hay, hauled sweet corn, sold seed for Noble seeds, worked for Nesbitt Construction and sold equipment for Hardings, Inc. Robert was owner and operator of Allison Farms, Allison Construction, and Allison Seed Cleaning. After retiring from farming in 2000, Robert worked 2 years at Flex-N-Gate in Covington. Robert was a member of Henning Church of Christ and Bismarck United Methodist Church, Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Traction Society, Bismarck Lions Club, Rossville American Legion Spears-Duke Post #733, and served on Rossville Cemetery Board and South Ross Township Board. He loved anything to do with railroads and trains. Robert worked hard all his life and when he retired, he enjoyed his daily visits to Rossvilles Coffee Shop and he and his wife enjoyed extensive traveling and visiting with friends and family. Robert enjoyed his family and was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who will be sadly missed. A Celebration of Roberts Life will be held at 1:30 pm, Saturday, February 5, 2011 at Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center, a Life Celebration Home 3940 N. Vermilion St. Danville, IL with Chaplain Cheryl Peterson-Karland officiating. Visitation will be held from 4-7 pm Friday evening at the funeral home. Following the service, he will be laid to rest at Manns Chapel Cemetery in Rossville, Illinois with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that memorials be made to the donors choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com