Robert "Bob" Lavon Laramee 80 of Clinton, IL passed away at 8:02 AM Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at St. Mary's Hospital, Decatur, IL.
Services will be 1 P.M. Saturday, February 4, 2017 at Christ Lutheran Church, Clinton, IL with Rev. David Dunlop officiating. Burial will follow at Laenna Cemetery, Chestnut, IL. Visitation will be 5 - 7 P.M. Friday, February 3, 2017 at Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, IL.
Due to Bob's commitment to being a faithful servant of the Lord, in lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Christ Lutheran Church, Clinton, IL or to St. Mary's Hospital, Decatur, IL.
Bob was born December 29, 1936 in Lincoln, IL the son of Ed and Verna (Carlson) Laramee. He married Janice Armstrong June 30, 1957 at the First
Christian Church in Clinton, after a longer courtship than Bob cared for. They were happily and committed to marriage for 59 1/2 years and were expected to celebrate many additional years together.
Survivors include his wife: Janice M. Laramee, Clinton, IL; sons: Michael (Lori) Laramee, Ft. Worth, TX; Alan (Cindy) Laramee, Vandalia, IL; Roger (Tim) Laramee, Champaign, IL; daughter, Margo (Ed) Hodges, Delavan, IL; 5 grandchildren: Hanna (Gus) Schmillen, Blythe (Nathaniel) Bergstrom, Dillon Hodges, Sam Hodges and Charlie Hodges; 2 great-grandchildren:
McKay and Westin Bergstrom; sister, Kathy (Marlin) Roos, Lincoln, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Duane Laramee; and twin brothers, Ronald and Arnold.
After graduating high school with the last class attending Kenney High School in 1955, Bob was employed as a Layout Developer for Caterpillar in Decatur for 30 years. In addition, he was a long-time farmer and Chester White swine producer and showman within DeWitt County where he was a lifetime resident.
Bob was a compassionate, hard-working, generous and faithful husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed fishing, chasing a little white ball around the golf course with his buddies, hunting, boating, playing cards with friends and at family gatherings, but most of all he was most proud
of his grandchildren and often boasted to his friends.
He was an avid Illini and Cubs fan - no matter their record; he also traveled many miles following his grandsons and cheering them in their many sports activities. He was very proud of each of his grandchildren and was known as "Grandpa Bob" by his great-grandchildren who loved and
cared for him deeply.
Bob was a member of the DeWitt County Farm Bureau, Fire Protection Board,
Clinton Country Club and Christ Lutheran Church.
Bob's family wishes to extend sincere thanks and appreciation to Pastor Dunlop and to all the physicians, nurses and staff members of St. Mary's who kept fantastic care for both Bob and his family during such a difficult time.
