Robert Dean Dunn's Obituary
MATTOON, IL - Robert Dean Dunn, age 61 of Mattoon, passed away in the comforting presence of his loving family on Thursday, July 14, 2011 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Services honoring and celebrating his life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 18, 2011 at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston with Pastor Lou Butler officiating. Visitation will be held Sunday, July 17, 2011 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at the funeral chapel. Private Interment will be in Dodge Grove Cemetery in Mattoon, Illinois. It is requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in his honor be made to PanCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, www.pancan.org). Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or services or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920. Bob was born in Mattoon, Illinois on September 19, 1949, a son of Delbert and Stelma (Volkman) Dunn. He married Betty Renfrow on November 25, 1977 and they have shared nearly thirty-four years of love and friendship. In addition to Betty, Bob is survived by two loving children, Jared Dunn of Urbana, Illinois and Jamey Dunn-Thomason and husband Andrew of Springfield, Illinois; his parents, Delbert and Stelma Dunn of Mattoon; two sisters, Linda Eagleson and husband Gene of Mattoon and Betty Hoffstetter and husband Floyd of Lemont, Illinois; a brother, Jim Dunn and wife Patsy of Charleston; many nieces, nephews and cousins; his father in-law and mother-in-law, Joe and Hilda Renfrow of Mattoon; and a sister-in-law, Linda DeSort and husband Joe of Waleska, Georgia. Bob was a life-long resident and familiar face in the Mattoon community. He was a graduate of the Mattoon High School Class of 1967 and furthered his schooling at Southern Illinois University where he received an Associate's Degree in Computer Programming. Following college Bob served with the Illinois National Guard for six years. He was also a computer programmer at the Illinois Consolidated Telephone Company for ten years. In 1980, he began operating an Amoco station, which was the beginning of his career in the service station industry. For more than thirty years Bob has been the owner of Dunn's Marathon and Lakeland Towing, serving the Mattoon and surrounding area from its location on South Route 45. As a successful business owner Bob was committed to giving the very best in service to his customers. He was a man of integrity and proud of the business he had worked so hard to establish based on honesty and good will. Those that worked for him were not just his employees. He felt a strong sense of responsibility to act not only as their mentor but as one who cared about them, both personally and professionally. Bob was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Mattoon, the Mattoon Chamber of Commerce and a lifetime member of Mattoon Masonic Lodge #260 A.F. & A.M. He was a fan of Illini football and basketball and enjoyed carpentry and home improvement projects. He had mastered the art of grilling and his skills were always in demand. Bob was a family man - he not only helped with the care of his own parents but of Betty's as well. He was an excellent father. He assisted in coaching the youth baseball and basketball programs in which Jared and Jamey participated, and as adults they knew they could depend on his continued encouragement and support. He was a loving and devoted husband who looked forward to spending time with Betty and sharing life's experiences together. Bob was so courageous and brave in his battle with pancreatic cancer. He often said he was not ""dying of cancer - he was living with cancer."" Bob lived each day to its fullest, never complaining and always maintaining a positive outlook. He never lost the qualities of selfless generosity, patience, loving kindness, and respectful regard for others, which only enhanced the tremendous love and admiration that his friends and family held for him. Bob's high esteem for his family, his customers, his employees and his friends; and his willingness to place other's needs before his own not only made him successful in business but in the life he lived and in the special relationships he shared. He leaves a multitude of fond memories to be treasured by all who knew and loved him.Click to view Family Memorial Video.
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