- Date Of Birth: September 8, 1922
- Date Of Death: December 11, 2018
- State: Illinois
Robert E. “Bob” Neff, 96, of Jacksonville, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 11, 2018, at Lavender Ridge in Jacksonville.
He was born September 8, 1922, in Girard, the son of Thomas and Georgia Post Neff. He first married Margaret Marshall and she preceded him in death. He then married Pat Strowmatt on April 29, 1983, in Jacksonville and she survives.
He is also survived by one son, Gregory (Nona) Neff of Jacksonville; three grandchildren, Zachary (Gina) Neff of Chicago, Rebecca (Jamie) Peterson of Grimes, IA, and Michael (Liana) Neff of Highland Park, NJ; three great-granddaughters, Charlie Peterson, Megan Peterson and Maya Peterson; one step-daughter, Tracy (Jim) Ashbaugh of Waverly; and one step-granddaughter, Savanna Ashbaugh of Carterville. He was preceded in death by one sister, Laura Petrilli (surviving husband Hank of Boston, MA).
Bob was a 1940 graduate of Girard High School. He then proudly served his country as a navigator in WWII on a B-24 Liberator Bomber in the Pacific Theatre. Using only the stars for guidance Bob guided his crew to 44 successful missions in the Pacific.
Bob served on the Board of Directors of Jacksonville Savings Bank and was one of the founders of Central Illinois Laborers Pension Fund. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Jacksonville Country Club, a lifetime member of the VFW, member of the AMVETS, the Elks, the YMCA, and the Kiwanis Club, where he earned the honor of “Mr. Pancake”.
An avid golfer, Bob won numerous Country Club Championships and had 5 holes-in-one.
Bob was a carpenter by trade, first working for Smirl-Gibson, then Hugh Gibson, then co-owning and operating Neff-Colvin Inc. until his retirement. One of his favorite projects was the 1952 construction of the JHS Bowl, with Bob serving as the job foreman, and years later he continued to marvel at the ingenuity of the gym’s design. He has been a season ticket holder for JHS Basketball for the past 66 years.
After his retirement, Bob continued as a talented woodworker, designing and building everything from wooden pull-toys, to tables, shelves and desks. For many years, he built a special piece for the annual Passavant Bazaar. He often repaired broken drawers and wobbly table legs for family and friends and in return he enjoyed being rewarded with homemade desserts.
Together, Bob and Pat traveled to all 50 states, and many foreign countries.
Bob was a man of honor, integrity and grace. His greatest love was his family and he never hesitated to tell each of them how proud he was of them. He regularly attended his grandchildren’s sporting and school events.
The family wants to thank the staffs of Lavender Ridge and Passavant Hospital for the care Bob received; also a thanks to the members of his First Baptist Church family for their continued support.
