- Date Of Birth: March 25, 1931
- Date Of Death: June 26, 2010
- State: Illinois
Clinton E. Dobbins, 79, of rural Meredosia, died Saturday, June 26, 2010, at his residence.
He was born March 25, 1931, in Normal, the son of Sherman E. and Margaret Eunice Howard Dobbins. He married Phyllis A. Muntman on Sept. 2, 1966, in Jacksonville, and she survives. He is also survived by two daughters and one son, Diana (Richard) Rees of Franklin, Sherry McAllister of St. Charles, MO, and Shawn (Becca) Dobbins of Meredosia; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one sister, Shirley (Frank) Fitch of Chicago. He was preceded in death by one son, Michael Dobbins (surviving wife Vicki of Kansas City, MO); and one grandson, Brandon William Rees.
Mr. Dobbins was a graduate of Bushnell High School. He then attended Illinois College before graduating from the American Institute of Baking in Chicago. He first worked for Pillsbury Labs in Springfield, helping to formulate the first cake mixes they produced, and then for Archway Cookie Company. In 1959, Clinton opened Dobbins Bakery in Jacksonville, before moving to the Quad Cities in 1972, working in the mobile home business. He returned to the baking industry in 1985, working for Unilever Bakery Division and later for Evans Bakery Company. He and Phyllis returned to the Meredosia area in 1999, and in 2001 they opened The Donut Place in Jacksonville. Clinton was a member of First Presbyterian Church and the Jacksonville Elks Lodge, and was a former Mason. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany. He loved gardening and being outdoors, and was an avid Cubs and Bears fan. He enjoyed all sports, and had played semi-pro football for the Canton Jets.
