Robert Cecil Davis, 79, of Irving, died peacefully after a battle with pancreatic cancer on Sunday, Aug. 18, with his family at his side.
Private services will be held.
Mr. Davis was born on Sept. 2, 1944 in Irving, to the late Cecil and Gladys Davis. He married Sheila Davis in Essex on Aug. 23, 1980, and she survives.
He served as a United States Army 101st Airborne “Screaming Eagle” from 1962 to 1964. He retired as a mechanic at ComEd Fossil divison in 1999. He also was a longtime plant manager at Coils Inc. in Dwight, where he met the love of his life. He was a coal miner and worked at Admiral Corporation building and also repaired televisions.
Mr. Davis was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Illinois and the Mt. Moriah Lodge #51 in Hillsboro. As a Mason, he enjoyed making biscuits and gravy for the residents of the town. He loved to be outside and enjoyed mowing. He was always busy with some type of project after retirement. He enjoyed taking breaks during projects to smoke cigars, having a cigar with him everywhere he went.
He loved his dog, Birdie, who was named after his daughter Krystal, as well as his grand puppies, Urley, Taylor and Carrie. He enjoyed washing, waxing and cleaning his cars and was a fan of football, particularly the Chicago Bears. He would rather listen to the games on the radio to see the game how he imagined. He knew a little bit about everything and was a master of all trades. He never met a stranger.
One example of Mr. Davis never meeting a stranger was a time where his family doctor asked him to talk to one of her patients who suffered with chronic pain. On the day of his passing, the doctor saw the patient and was told how Mr. Davis said a pain pump helped with his pain. He was grateful for Mr. Davis’ kindness.
In addition to his wife, he is surived by his daughters, Krystal Davis of South Wilmington and Minda (Greg) Hoffman of San Clemente, CA; sister, Shirley (Jim) Hunter of Indianapolis, IN; Gene Davis of Hillsboro; Mark Davis of Litchfield; nieces, Rhonda (Mark) Rench of Hillsboro and Marina (Paul) Covar of Staunton; nephew, Eddie Northcraft of Nokomis and several cousins.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved dog Birdie.
Condolences may be left at www.jensenmemorialchapel.com.
