Charles "Bob" Robert Jones

Charles R. “Bob” Jones

Charles Robert “Bob” Jones Sr. went to his heavenly home on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at the age of 85, in his hometown of Nokomis, Illinois. His battle with health issues in recent years showed his courage in facing life challenges with a sense of humor and faith as he trusted his Good Shepherd to carry him home.

Bob was born in Chicago on October 27, 1939, to Charlie VanMeter and Hilda (Hartman) Jones and grew up in the Windy City.  However, he fell in love with the rural farms of central Illinois while working on his aunt and uncle’s farm in the summers. His family moved to Nokomis when he was a teenager where he graduated from Nokomis High School in 1957.

Bob loved to work. He started shearing sheep in his early 20’s and then started his own business, Illinois Sheepskins, Inc. of Nokomis, Illinois making beautiful items from sheepskins. The factory grew as he began expanding his production to making carnival stuffed toys sold nationwide and poms for roller skates. He established factories in Fillmore, Illinois and a large-scale production facility in Vandalia, Illinois.

Bob owned a farm near Nokomis where he grew crops and bred and raised Standard Bred racehorses. He enjoyed occasionally racing the horses himself, especially at local fairs. He loved his horses and knew each of them by name.

Bob loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. He married Mary Pugsley of Oconee, Illinois in 1960. They had four children Robert Jr., Matthew, Valerie (Reebel), and Christine. They later divorced. He was then married to the late Dorothy (Skinner) Carroll and had a daughter Tina (Cook).

Later in life, he married the late Beverly Krueger. After her passing, he married Loretta (McCord) Jones. Bob and Loretta lived near Nokomis, Illinois, enjoying the farm and raising racehorses.

Bob is survived by his dear wife, Loretta as well as his children Robert Jr., Matthew Jones (Barbara), Valerie Reebel (Brian), Christine Jones, and Tina Cook (Brian). He is also survived by his first wife, Mary and his 19 grandchildren and their spouses: Jessica (Matt) Saunders; Katie; Eric (Kristen), Adam (Daniyela), Jennifer, Emily, Jesse, and Michael Reebel; Caleb (Courtney), Abigail, Hannah, Levi, Esther, Ruthann, Reuben, Sarah, and Nehemiah Jones; and Aaron and Grace Cook; and 7 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sweet sisters, Donna Fulk (Charlie) and Shirley Bayba (Lewellyn, deceased) as well as many nieces and nephews. He and Loretta together have two stepchildren Richard McCord and Laurin O’Donnell with 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Bob will be honored at a celebration of life service at Stiehl-Dawson Funeral Home in Nokomis, Illinois on Saturday, December 7th at 11 am with a time of visitation beforehand from 9:30 – 11 am.  Daniel “Boonie” Carruthers of Ramsey will be officiating. A short grave-side service will be held at Rosamond Grove Cemetery after the service followed by a luncheon at the First Baptist Church of Nokomis fellowship hall.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the funeral home to assist with services.

Bob will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He had a zest for life – working hard and playing hard. He loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and has been reunited with many loved ones in heaven.  

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