Gene Stewart Robbins

Born February 24, 1927 in Paragould, Arkansas to Marvin Rufus and Viola M. (Pranger) Robbins, he married Helen E. (Ellington) Maynard. He later married Joyce Joan Wiechmann on May 26, 1963 at St. Petri Evangelical Lutheran Church in Flanagan. She survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Lonnie (Pauletta) Robbins and Donald Robbins, both of Marquette Heights; two daughters, Patricia (Ernest) Cook of Creve Coeur and Phyllis (Johannes) Hansen of Kansas City, Missouri; ten grandchildren, Michelle Cornelius, Lonnie J. Robbins, Sara Blumenshine, Shannon Robbins, Kelly Shaughnessy, Robyn Shaughnessy, Tonya Carty, Brian Pancherovich, Krista Spencer, Tara Roberts, and seventeen great-grandchildren; one sister, Brenda (Bob) Robbins Jeane of Oklahoma City, OK.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, one sister; one daughter, Sherri Shaughnessy and one great-grandson, Shane Robbins.

He was a World War II Navy veteran.

Gene owned and operated Robbins Tree Service for more than 30 years, retiring in 1987.

He enjoyed scuba diving, fishing, being with family, and socializing with people. He absolutely loved being with the grandkids and great grandchildren.

He was previously a deacon at the First Baptist Church of Creve Coeur, and a born again believer and had Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior.

His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 3, 2021 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Creve Coeur. Johannes Hansen and Lonnie Jacob Robbins will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Graveside rites will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in St. Petri Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Flanagan, with military rites accorded by the United States Navy.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 4234 North Knoxville Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61614.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com