Robert O. "Bob" Cravens

Robert O. “Bob” Cravens, 92, of Robinson, IL, died surrounded by his family at 8:08 p.m. on Thursday, July 26, 2018 at Arbor Rose in Robinson. He was born August 25, 1925 in Petty Township in Lawrence County, IL, the son of William Forest Cravens & Martha Mabel (Clark) Cravens, both of whom preceded him in death. He married Betty Lou Akers on December 17, 1948 and she preceded him in death on July 29, 2017. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Russell E. Cravens. He is survived by his daughters & sons-in-law, Deborah & Ronald Newlin (Hutsonville, IL) and Angela & Max Mitchell (rural Robinson, IL); by his son & daughter-in-law, Russell Dee & Kara Cravens (Greenwood, IN); by his grandchildren, Karyn Moore, Misty Monk, Damon Mitchell, Sean Cravens, Justin & Ashley Cravens, Amelia Cravens, Alex & Hilary Gerard, Aaron Gerard, and Rane Cravens; by his great-grandchildren, Laci & Darrick Harden, Austin & Moriah Callahan, Abby Callahan, Zane Heleine, Aubrey Heleine, Marian Heleine, Faith Monk, Quinton Cravens, Jackie & Jared Irvin, Jaly McCauley, Jocelyn "Bugs" Cravens, and Crew Gerard; by his great-great-grandchildren, Parker Harden, Keelie Harden, Brice Harden, and Harper Callahan; by his brother-in-law, Dee Akers (Bridgeport, IL); by his sister-in-law, Velma Akers (Bridgeport, IL); as well as several nieces and nephews. Bob grew up in rural Lawrence County and was a 1944 graduate of Bridgeport High School. He would go on to proudly serve his country as a radio operator in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Following his honorable discharge in 1946, he would go on to attend the University of Illinois before marrying and moving to Casey, where he went to work for the Pure Oil Company and Walt Dillier Drilling Company as an accountant. In 1962, he moved his family to Robinson, where he found work with Bell Brothers Oil. He worked there for nearly thirty years before retiring in 1991. Bob’s admirable work ethic was also evident in the countless hours he spent out in his garden. He truly loved nature, as it suited his quiet, gentle nature. Bob Cravens will be remembered as a kind, caring man who loved his family, his church, and his country with his whole heart. He was a member of the Robinson American Legion Post #69 and Robinson Free Methodist Church. A time of visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 on Thursday, August 2nd at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 3rd at the funeral home with Pastor Adam Conder officiating the service. Burial will be in the Robinson New Cemetery, where military services will be conducted by the combined units of the Robinson V.F.W. Post #4549, American Legion Post #69, and Marine Corps League Det. #546, and the Flat Rock American Legion Post #132. Memorials may be made to Arbor Rose of Robinson, to Oblong Children’s Christian Home, or to New Hebron Christian School. Memorial envelopes will be available at the funeral home.