Charles Roby Jr.Charles Roby Jr.
Charles D. “Bud” Roby Jr., 87, of Rushville died at 12:55 p.m. Feb. 23, 2008, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
He was born April 22, 1920, in Belleville, a son of Charles D. and Sarah Helen Rowley Roby Sr. He married Bernice Kerwood on Sept. 16, 1942, in San Diego, Calif. She died March 20, 2004.
He also was preceded in death by one brother, Armond Richard Roby; and one infant sister, Gloria.
Surviving are twin daughters, Judith (and Rev. Dr. Phillip) Icenogle of Pontiac and Joyce (and Richard) Gillette of Winfield, Mo.; one son, Gary (and Binh Hoa) Roby of San Jose, Calif.; eight grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. A 1939 graduate of Worsham Mortuary School in Chicago, he and his wife owned Roby Funeral Chapel in Kenney from 1945 to 1957. From 1957 to 1959, he was a partner at Carroll Funeral Home in Litchfield. In 1959, he purchased Hardy Funeral Home in Rushville and changed the name to Roby Funeral Chapel. He retired in October 1990. In 1991, he was recognized for over 50 years of honorable service to the funeral profession.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Rushville, Illinois Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, lifetime member of Schuyler American Legion Post #4, Walter A. Balk VFW Post #2305, Illinois Police Association, Rushville Masonic Lodge AF and AM, #9, Royal Arch Masons Lusk Chapter No. 20, Rushville Commandery No. 56, Beardstown Council, Ansar Shrine of Springfield, Illinois Valley Shrine Club in Beardstown, Friendship Lodge #24, IOOF, Adelaide Rebekah Lodge #381, Illinois Federation of Sportsmen Clubs, Rushville Moose Lodge #506.
Services will be held at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday at Wood Funeral Home in Rushville with Rev. Dr. Phil Icenogle and Rev. Wayne Bonser officiating. Burial will follow in Rushville City Cemetery with military rites by U.S. Navy Burial Detail and his legion post. Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. at the funeral home with Masonic rites by Rushville Masonic Lodge AF and AM #9 at 2 p.m.
Memorials may be made to his church or St. Louis Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children or the donor’s choice.
Condolences may be sent to www.woodfh.net.