James E. Robinson

James Edgar Robinson, age 87, went to be with his Lord on November 14th, 2010. He passed at Rambling Oaks Nursing Home in Flower Mound, Texas. He was born August 17, 1923, in Vienna Illinois, to the late James Edgar Robinson and Mary Estella (Whiteside) Robinson. He attended High School in Vienna, Illinois and graduated from High School in Aurora, Illinois. James served three years in the U.S. Army, during WW II, and was stationed in both the Philippine Islands and New Guinea. He was awarded two bronze stars for performance during campaigns in New Guinea and Luzon. He also received an Asiatic Pacific theatre campaign ribbon, three overseas service bars, victory ribbon and a Philippine Liberation ribbon. Upon returning from the war, he was united in marriage to Velma Lois Mathis, on January 26, 1946 in Cypress, Illinois. Mr. Robinson was an accomplished musician who played guitar, mandolin and piano and led many bands over his lifetime. He was a longtime member of the Reidland United Methodist Church. He served the church and congregation in many roles and he and Velma served together in different ways. He also was a member of the Moose Lodge. Mr. Robinson was a certified refrigeration and air conditioning tradesman. In 1950 he graduated from ICS Correspondence School, from Scranton, PA. He was a member of the Refrigeration Service Engineer Society. Jim worked thirty years for Caterpillar, in both Peoria and Aurora Illinois. After thirty years of service he retired from Caterpillar, and moved with Velma to Paducah, Kentucky where they resided and enjoyed retirement at 128 Byron Drive. In October of 2008 they joined their daughter and extended family in the Dallas, Texas area. Jim is survived by his wife, Velma, his daughter Lena and her husband, Bob Berkland, Flower Mound, Texas; five grandchildren, Lisa (Bob) Miller, Flower Mound, Tx., Katrina (Chris) Gunn, Flower Mound, Tx., Rob (LeAnn) Berkland, Southlake, Tx., Brad Robinson, St. Louis, Mo, and Brian Robinson, Belleville, Ill; seven great-grandchildren, Peyton and Hailey Miller, Addison and Greyson Gunn and Robby and Christian Berkland; Grace Robinson; brother Lewis (Delonda) Robinson, Goreville, Ill. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Rodney Robinson, St. Louis, Mo. Funeral services for James Edgar Robinson will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 16th, at Flower Mound Family Funeral Home. The Rev. Rick Mang , pastor of First United Methodist Church of Grapevine, Texas, will officiate. Relatives and friends are welcome. A family dinner will follow. Visitation will be held at Bailey Funeral Home, in Vienna, Illinois, on Thursday, November 18th at 1:00 p.m. Immediately following, at 2:15, a military graveside service will be conducted at the Vienna Fraternal Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded by the Beggs-Gurley VFW Post 5222 and the Illinois Burial Honors detail.

James E. Robinson

August 17, 1923 - November 14, 2010