Robert L. Sengpiel

Robert “Bob” Sengpiel, 88, resident of Helia Healthcare in Champaign, and formerly of Bloomington, passed away Thursday, November 2, 2017 at 6:50 p.m. at the nursing home. He was born May 25, 1929 in Pontiac, the son of Robert and Charlotte Leonard Sengpiel. He married Sarah “Sally” Gibbons on April 29, 1988 in Owesboro, Kentucky. She preceded him in death on July 6, 2010.

Bob was always interested in sports. He played basketball four years in high school and taught and coached basketball and baseball at Fairview and Brigham Unit 5 and Armington in Olympia. He was also a White Sox fan for more than 70 years!

Bob was also a Korean War veteran. He was a lifetime member of the VFW. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. Bob graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois Wesleyan in 1958, and also attended Illinois State University. He worked for the State of Illinois Highway Department in maintenance, retiring after 23 years.

Bob is survived by a son, Rob Sengpiel; two stepdaughters, Sandra (Ken) Wilcox of Urbana and Mickey (Jim) Smith of Tuscola; a stepson, Bard (Cherri) Benefield of Champaign; five grandchildren, Camille (Beto) Barojas, Aaron and Hope Wilcox, and Sydney and Eric Brimberry; and five great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Steven Ray Sengpiel; a brother, Roger Dean Sengpiel; and a grandson, Blayne Benefield.

Services will be held Thursday, November 9th at noon at East Lawn Funeral Home in Bloomington. Burial will follow at East Lawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

Condolences may be left for the family at eastlawn-bloomington.com.