Robby Evers Van Hook

Robby (Evers) Van Hook, age 68 years, a resident of Johnson County Illinois and Inverness, Florida passed away Friday evening, August 28, 2020, at 10:20 PM at her home. Robby was born July 27, 1952 in Paducah, Kentucky. She was the daughter of Charles Robert “Bob” Evers and Lu Dean (Lentz) Evers. On July 5, 2002, Robby was united in marriage to Steve W. Van Hook at the Vienna First United Methodist Church. He survives. Robby is also survived by: her son – Jay (Rachel) Gunn of Marion; her daughter – Jennifer (Brandon) Gunn-Osman of Cypress; 4 grandchildren – Jeremiah, Sidney, & Chloe Gunn of Marion and Gunner Osman of Cypress; 2 stepdaughters – Stacey (Leon) Kaufmann of Carbondale and Tanna Hammel of Decatur; a stepson – Wesley Van Hook of Vienna; a sister – Solita Mathis of Cypress; nieces and a nephew – Christie (Roy) West of Cypress, Chris (Amy) Mathis of Steeleville, and Jackie Hileman of Cypress; great nephews – Bruce (Sarah) West, Bryan (Brittney) West and Bradley West; as well as many other great nieces, great nephews, other relatives and many dear friends who became just like family members. In addition to her parents, Robby was preceded in death by an infant granddaughter, Emily King. Robby was a graduate of the Cypress Grade School and a 1970 graduate of Vienna High School. In her youth, Robby worked in her family’s businesses, the P.D. Lentz Store and Evers’ Lumber both in Cypress. She earned a bachelors degree from Murray State University with a double major in education and special education. Robby also attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and had achieved many credits toward her goal of obtaining a masters degree. Robby was a lifelong educator. She was a GED instructor at Shawnee Community College and also served as the cheerleading sponsor. Robby had also been employed by the Illinois Department of Corrections and taught courses at both Shawnee Correctional Center and the Dixon Springs Work Camp. Robby taught for several years in the Goreville Unit # 1 school district. She began her teaching career at Goreville working in the special education department and later taught 3rd grade. Robby was a faithful Christian and a member of New Hope Baptist Church near New Columbia. She loved winters in Florida, since her retirement, where she had a second church family at First Presbyterian Church in Inverness. Robby was a self-proclaimed “die-hard St. Louis Cardinals fan.” She loved attending spring training games while wintering in Florida as well as attending regular season games at Busch Stadium in St. Louis along with her family. Robby particularly cherished time spent with her grandkids. She loved taking vacations with them including a Disney cruise to the Bahamas. Robby was a published author and compiled many stories into her book “Love and Italian Cream Cake.” Her husband Steve said of Robby that she was “the kindest, most considerate Christian lady that he ever knew.” A service honoring the life of Robby Evers Van Hook will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, September 2, 2020, at 1 PM at the New Hope Baptist Church Family Life Center, 6804 New Columbia Road, Belknap, Illinois. Pastor Frank Forthman and Pastor Pete Vinson will officiate. Burial will be in the Cypress Cemetery. Visitation will be conducted Wednesday, September 2, 2020, from 11 AM until 1 PM at the New Hope Church Family Life Center. Memorials may be made to the Cypress Cemetery, P.O. Box 140, Cypress, Illinois 62923, The Heather Harper Treat Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 98, Vienna, Illinois 62995 or to Mercy Health - Hospice, 911 Joe Clifton Drive, Paducah, Kentucky 42001. Those attending the service are encouraged to observe customarily accepted social distancing guidelines. The wearing of a face mask or covering is strongly recommended.

Robby Evers Van Hook

July 27, 1952 - August 28, 2020