Dessie Opal Robinson, who passed on in the evening hours of Feb. 8, 2014 at Carle Foundation Hospital. Dessie was born on March 6, 1918 in Decatur, IL. She was the fourth child, of seven children, born to Arizona Dalton and Virgil Madison Thompson. On November 14, 1936, in Decatur, Illinois, she and the love of her life, Monroe Robinson, were joined in Holy Matrimony. They lived a life of devoted love for forty-three years until his death on August 9, 1979.
Dessie is survived by one son, Lee Robinson of Cisco, IL and three daughters Sharon (Edward) Hettinger and Carol (Larry) Ziemer of Monticello, IL and Jann (Dave) Cognata of Jacksonville, FL. Her eight grandchildren are Brent (Mary Jo) Hettinger and Brad (Lisa) Hettinger of Monticello, IL, Brian Hettinger of Long Beach, CA, Nick (Beth) Ziemer of Bloomington, IL, Tam (Bob) Wharton of Loami, IL, Mike (Brenda) Cognata of Laredo, TX, Matt Cognata (Tricia Ledoux) of Jacksonville, FL, and Mark Cognata (Lila McDowell) of New York. Her nine great-grandchildren are Rachel Hettinger of Normal, IL, Joe Bartnick and Jake Bartnick of Loami, IL, Johnathan Hettinger, Claire Hettinger and Marissa Hettinger of Monticello, IL, Ruthie Ziemer of Bloomington, IL, Cameron Wollard and Chase Riker of Jacksonville, FL. Dessie is, also, survived by her devoted and loyal nephew Phil (Faye) Benjamin of Monticello, IL.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Monroe Robinson, grandson, Burke Hettinger, her parents, three brothers and three sisters.
Dessie is remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She loved family and friend activities, bowling when she was younger, games, puzzles, reading and writing poems. For several years, she was active in Home Extension and volunteered with the Toy and Gift Program. Dessie and Monroe traveled frequently, both east and west, sightseeing and visiting family. Even after Monroe’s death, Dessie traveled on bus trips with the First Christian Church group and, also, made trips out of the country to visit her daughter and family. Over the years, she was employed at Syrup Pepsin, Burgin Brothers Department Store, Oehmke’s Grocery and Monticello Ag Center. She and her husband enjoyed the many years they lived at Allerton Park in the “Gingerbread House”.
Memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 1:00 pm at the Mackey-Wright Funeral Home in Monticello, IL. Interment of the urn will be in the Monticello Cemetery.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.
