LEAF RIVER – Robert E. Cummins, Jr., age 72, died Friday, March 16, 2018. He was born July 24, 1945 in San Antonio, Texas the son of Robert E. and Ruby (Peavey) Cummins, Sr.
He graduated from Normal High School in Normal, and attended the Police Academy at the University of Illinois. He then served in the United States Air Force from March, 1963 to Sept., 1966. He married Kathy Benthien on Feb. 15, 1969 in Bloomington Normal. Robert worked as a police officer for the Bloomington Normal Police Dept., and was a special agent officer for the Union Pacific Railroad, and then worked for the Ogle County Sheriff’s Dept., and also worked many years for Camcar Textron in Rockford. He attended both the Cornerstone Family Church in Byron, and the North Grove Christian Church in Egan. He loved to do woodworking, being outside working in his yard, and designed his home prior to building it. He was an Awana Leader for the Berean Baptist Church in Rockford. He was always giving of himself to his family and others and ensuring his family they were being taken care of. He was a member of the Forreston American Legion.
He was predeceased by his parents.
Survivors include his wife Kathy of Leaf River, three children; Vicki Lake of Loves Park, Kevin (Suzanne) Cummins of Janesville, Wis., and Becky (Tony) Greenfield of Shannon, two sisters; Janice (Herb) Beer of Arkansas, and Debra Cummins (Steven Bray) of Kentucky, nine grandchildren; Brittany and Brianna Lake, Jonathan, Jordon, Kylie, and Jake Cummins, Lindsey, Tyler, and Trevor Greenfield.
Funeral service was 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at the Cornerstone Family Church with the Pastor Randy Snider and Pastor Terry Ceroni officiating. Burial was in the North Grove Christian Cemetery near Egan. Visitation was Tuesday evening from 5-7 p.m. at the Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home, 506 W. Merchant Street in Byron. A memorial fund is established for the Forreston American Legion. Visit www.farrellhollandgale.com to leave a condolence.
