Robert Guggemos

Robert John Guggemos was born in Lansing Michigan on March 15th, 1921, and was the son of John William and Georgia Cady Guggemos. He married LaCorda Ruth McMaster on June 9th, 1944 in Lansing MI., she survives. Also surviving include his five children; Nancy (Chuck) Fiely, Buena Park, CA, John (Donna) Guggemos, Westfield, IN, Susan Parham, Rockton, IL, Patricia (Henry) Povelones, and George (Kim) Guggemos, Danville, IL, Eleven grandchildren, one great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother Lucille, brothers; Bernard and Frederick and sister; Eileen. Robert graduated from Resurrection High School in Lansing, MI, and attended Michigan State University, majoring in mechanical engineering. He joined the Army Air Corp( now the Air Force) attached to the 359th Fighter Group, 8th AF WW II, flying P-51 mustangs. He received numerous honors including the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air medal with five oak leaf clusters, and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. He is credited with downing a Nazi Jet Fighter and numerous other enemy planes. After the war Robert, became a flight instructor for the Air Force, and retired from the Air Force Reserves with the rank of Lt. Colonel in 1969. Following the war Robert worked as a supervisor at Fisher Body, a division of General Motors in Lansing. He moved his family to Danville in 1953, where he continued his career as a Pattern maker at Tilton Pattern Works and retired in 1983. He continued his love of flying by participating in activities at Highland and Vermillion County Airports, was a member of the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) and served as a treasurer for many years. He attended and participated in the Oshkosh Air Show with his home built airplanes. He also flew the jump plane for the Illiana Sky Divers for many years, and participated in the Danville Balloon Classic. His many passions included coin collecting, hunting and even making his own bullets. Robert Loved golf and bridge and was a Charter member at Vermillion Hills Country Club. Robert enjoyed boating and waterskiing, and was a scout leader and treasurer for Troup 25. He enjoyed motorcycling, gardening, tinkering in his garage, feeding the birds and deer, and reading in his later years. Robert was distinguished for his generous donation of several hundred pints of blood over forty years. Robert was active at St. Joseph, St. Patrick, and Holy Family Church and was a member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society, Knights of Columbus, and served as an Extraordinary Minister for thirty years. Robert was instrumental in starting the Schlarman High School Foundation, as well served on various Credit Union boards, including; Holy Family Credit Union serving as treasurer. The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at North Logan Health Care Center for their kindness and love. A mass to celebrate Roberts life will be held at 10:00am on Saturday June 9,2007 at Holy Family Catholic Church. Officiating Fr. Dennis ORiley. Visitation will be held on Friday at Sunsets Community & Life Tribute Center ( Formerly Lakeside-Barrick) 3550 N. Vermilion Street, from 4-8:00pm, with Rosary starting at 7:30pm. Burial will be at Danville National Cemetery on Monday. Donations may be made to the organ fund at Holy Family Church or Holy Family School, and the Schlarman High School Foundation. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com