Robert E. Sloan Jr.

Robert Enoch Sloan Jr. 81 of Macomb and formerly of Peoria, passed away at 7:30AM Tuesday Dec. 14, 2010, at McDonough Dist. Hospital in Macomb. He is a descendent of a Peoria pioneer family that settled here in 1839, by Enoch Passmore Sloan.

Born Sept 26,1929 in Chicago to Robert E. Sloan Sr & Annette L (Lowther) Sloan. On Nov. 5, 1955 in Peoria. he married Donna J Kirchgessner, with whom he had 7 children. She proceeded him in death on Nov 2 1994. He later married Martha A Marshall on March 8, 1997 in Peoria. She survives.

He was also proceeded in death by his parents, one son, Robert E. III, and one brother Francis Lowther Sloan.

Surviving are one son George R (Carol) Sloan of Colgate WI, five daughters Mary A (Wyatt) Kern of Waterloo IA, Theresa J Sloan of Peoria, Judith M (Stephen) Minner of East Peoria, Patricia J(Paul) Wappel of Springfield, Angela J (Charles) Theobald of Pontiac, and 13 grandchildren, 4 step grandchildren, and 6 step great-grandchildren.

Two stepsons Robert (Heather) Marshall of Vermont IL, Philip Marshall of Oshkosh WI, and three stepdaughters Kathryn Marshall of St. Louis MO. Karen (Albert) Bussone of Normal, Beverly Marshall of Chicago, and an additional six step grandchildren.

He was employed as a State of Illinois, Office of the Comptroller, field auditor, in the cemetery and burial trust department since 1985, retiring Jan. 2000. Prior to that he was with the Illinois Department of Mental Health for eight years as Region 1B Health Educator. He was also employed as assistant administrator at Community Workshop and Training Center. After retirement, he was a Realtor for Century 21 in Macomb.

He was the first Health Relations Director for Allied Agencies Center when it opened. He was also an account executive for Ross advertising for twenty years as a Supervisor of Sales Promotion for WABCO. He also was president of Trans-Action, Inc. a distributor of advertising specialties.

He was founding president in 1958, of the Central Illinois Chapter of the National Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and a former national trustee on the national board. He was a member emeritus of the board of the Greater Illinois Chicago Chapter.

He was past grand knight of Bishop Dunne Council, Knights of Columbus; a former district deputy; past faithful navigator of the Fourth Degree Spalding Assembly, Peoria and a member of Spalding

Council #427, K of C. he was past president of the Social Service Club of Peoria, and was co-founder of the Voluntary Action Center of Central Illinois. He was president for twelve years of the Community Services Association for the Heart of Illinois Fair.

He was the second president of the St. Patrick Society of Peoria, serving for 1983 through 1984; and was St. Patrick’s Parade Chairman in 1982 and 1986. He was also Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 1982. He also was first chairman of the Erin Feis, now an annual event of the society. He served many years on the society's board of directors.

He was founding president in 1985 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Richard H. Parsons division in Peoria, and was recording secretary from 1993 until 1996. He was state president of the Illinois Hibernians from 1993 to 1996, where he previously served for eight years as State secretary. In 1990, he was honored for his work on behalf of the Irish community by being chosen as the first recipient of the annual Angela Parson Memorial Award naming him “Hibernian of the year”. He was a life honorary member.

He was a candidate in 1984 for the office of Peoria County Circuit Clerk. He was also a precinct committeeman for eighteen (1978-1996) years. He also was a volunteer Minister at St. Francis Medical Center.

From 1977 until 1994, he entertained hundreds of children each Halloween as the “Great Talking Pumpkin” in Peoria.

He was a member of Riverside Community Church in Peoria. He served on the “336 Coalition”, and was a member of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce, and served on several committees. He was a Director of The United Way for McDonough County for many years. He served as Secretary for many years and Vice President of the Lamoine Valley Board of Realtors. In 2005 he was elected President of the board, but had to resign due to health reasons. He was also editor of various organization newsletters over the years.

Funeral Services will be held at 10 AM on Saturday December 18, 2010 at Riverside Community Church, 207 NE Monroe, Peoria, IL. Rev. John King will officiate. A visitation will be held at Remmert Funeral Home, East Peoria, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Friday December 17, 2010 and one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery in Peoria. Memorials can be made to Riverside Community Church or the family.