Robert Charles Powell's Obituary
Robert C. “Whitey” Powell, 87 of Decatur, died Friday, October 31, 2008 in Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Funeral services will be 12:30 pm Wednesday, November 5, 2008 in Moran & Goebel Funeral Home with Pastor Dan Wissmann officiating. Visitation will be 6:00 ' 8:00 pm Tuesday and 11:30 -12:30 pm Wednesday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Camp Butler National Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Macon County Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, or Macon County Honor Guard.
Whitey was born on February 1, 1921 in Tazewell County, the only child of Marie Gomes Powell and Obie Lee Powell. He was baptized and received into the Catholic faith at an early age. He graduated from East Peoria High School in 1941. He served in the U.S. Army’s 35th Division during WWII, earning five battle stars. He participated in battles at Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Central Europe, and Rhineland. He was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. After being honorably discharged he was employed by Illinois Bell/ Ameritech Telephone Company for 38 years retiring in 1983.
He married Loretta White, and to this union a daughter was born. He later married Imogene Smith. In 1975, he married Glenna Pond, who survives. Also surviving is a daughter, Barbara Patton of Peoria; a step-daughter, Lisa Gillespey Jerry of Decatur; step-sons, Terry Boyd Linda of Quincy; Charles Boyd of Navarre, FL; Jack Boyd of Bloomington; Mark Pond Donna of Booneville, MO; seven grandsons, including Jacob Tucker of Decatur; and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and three grandchildren.
The family of Robert C. “Whitey” Powell is being served by Moran & Goebel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2801 N. Monroe Street, Decatur.
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