Robert Detrick, 82, of Lewistown died at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 1, 2018, at home.
He was born Aug. 1, 1936, in Quincy, the son of Commodore Perry and Carrie Mae Lawson Detrick. He married Marilyn Black on March 1, 1961, in Lewistown. She survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Daniel (and Julie) Detrick of Huntsville, Ala., and Will Detrick of Davenport, Iowa; one sister, Virginia Crase of Manito; and four grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one son, Steven Detrick.
He taught social studies at East Peoria High School for five years, then at Pekin High School for one year before being called to the military. Throughout his career, he was principal at Manito schools for two years, school administrator at Easton schools and was a social studies teacher at Illinois Central schools. He also taught the Chinese language at Washington University in St. Louis under a fellowship program.
He entered the United States Air Force. He then attended college at Western Illinois University in Macomb, before being called back to attend flight school. He also was sent to signal school, where he learned the Chinese language. He was most proud of the medal received from General Lai Ming-Tang, Chief of the General Staff, Ministry of National Defense, Republic of China.
He was a life member of the Havana VFW #6408; a 50-year member of the Manito Masonic Lodge #476 AF & AM; the Order of the Eastern Star of Pekin; the Peoria Consistory Masonic Temple; and the AFIFI Shriners of Tacoma, Wash.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church in Lewistown with Pastor Kathy Barrett officiating. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria with Masonic Services beginning at 7 p.m. Also, one hour prior to the services on Saturday at the church. Burial will be at Apple Cemetery in Lewistown with full military rites.
Memorials may be made to Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church, Easton United Methodist Church or the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children.
Condolences may be sent to www.shawgomemorialhome.org.
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