J. Russell Robinson, 73, of Panama, formerly a longtime resident of Jacksonville, died Wednesday, May 15, 2019, at Carlinville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Carlinville.
A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, May 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Bass Patton Dean Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Memorial services will follow at 7 p.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. James Hayes, pastor of St. James Baptist Church in Hillsboro, officiating.
Mr. Robinson was born Sept. 13, 1945, in Litchfield, the son of the late Rolin and Pearl (Beal) Robinson. He married Janet Lou Mann on Sept. 1, 1998, in Jacksonville, and she preceded him in death on Oct. 16, 2010.
A U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, he worked for 35 years at Mobil Chemical in Jacksonville.
He served as chairman of the board of education at Salem Lutheran School, vice president of the Jacksonville Police Academy, past commander of Murrayville American Legion, chairman for the Murrayville Sesquicentennial and sat on the board of Morgan-Scott County Crime Stoppers.
He is survived by one son, Nathan Robinson of Panama; one stepdaughter, Heather (Jacob) Rhea of Jacksonville; three grandchildren, Tucker, Emma and Lily Rhea; five brothers, Walter "Newt" Robinson of North Pole, AK, Kenneth (Brenda) Robinson of Ramsey, Bradley Robinson of Sheridan, WY, Mark (Tammy) Robinson of Vandalia and Paul Robinson of Raton, NM; and three sisters, Florence (Paul) Sexton of Monticello, KY, Patricia (Jerry) Clotfelter of Hillsboro and Mary Ellen (Bob) Keown of Nebraska.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by one son, Kelly Robinson; and three sisters, Sharon Altevogt, Georgia Robinson and Sherry Pfeifer.
Online condolences may be left at www.basspattondeanfh.com.
