Robert J. Emling
Robert J. Emling, 86, of Du Quoin, passed away at 12:47 p.m., Monday, Jan. 28, 2013 at the Marshall Browning Hospital in Du Quoin.
Bob was a lifelong Du Quoin resident attending Sacred Heart School and Du Quoin High School where he was known as 'Skinny' and excelled in basketball. Bob served in the Army during World War II then attended SIU before going into farming full time. He later started working at the Du Quoin Post Office with his brother Russell and other Emling relatives. Bob retired as superintendent of postal operations after 28 years.
He was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church where he sang in the choir for 70 years, starting at age 14. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, and served as Grand Knight at one time. He enjoyed playing, coaching, and watching sports and became a Cub fan in his later years. Bob had a life-long love of playing cards and did so for many hours at the KC Hall and also spent countless hours quail hunting.
In the 1970s, Bob developed some of the farmland surrounding his home into the R. J. Emling subdivision located just east of Du Quoin on Jackson Street Road.
Bob was born on Nov. 30, 1926 at Du Quoin, Ill., the fifth and youngest son of John and Magdelena (Mann) Emling.
Bob married Marion (Genesio) Emling on July 7, 1948 in Du Quoin and she survives. They were married for 64 years.
Bob is survived by his wife of Du Quoin, children - Gerald (Christine) Emling of Nashville, Ill., Harold (Joyce) Emling, Virginia (Bill) Appuhn, and Tom (Lisa) Emling, all of Du Quoin, grandchildren - Ryan Emling, Luke Emling, Meredith Emling, Arianne Emling, Jonathan Emling, Eric Emling, Taryn Dettman, and Dylan Dettman and great grandchildren - Rachel Emling and Carter Rose.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers - Ernie, Russell, Roger, and Maurice Emling and nephew Steven Emling.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Du Quoin with Fr. Jim VanOss officiating.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m., Wednesday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.
Rosary will be prayed at 5 p.m., Wednesday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.
Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery at Du Quoin.
Friends may make memorials to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Capital Improvement Fund and will be accepted at the funeral home.
For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.