Charles Richard Dobbs

Charles Richard “Dick” Dobbs MARION–Charles Richard “Dick” Dobbs, 68, of Marion formerly of Grand Chain passed away at 12:45 PM, Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at Whispering Oaks in Marion. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, December 20, 2008 at the Blue Funeral Home in Marion with Reverend Kevin Badgley officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, Friday, December 19, 2008 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Masonic Cemetery in Grand Chain. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Hospice of Southern Illinois or Whispering Oaks; envelopes are available at the funeral home or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, Il 62959. Mr. Dobbs was born June 6, 1940 in Grand Tower to Lavern and Edna (Barton) Dobbs. He married Lenora Badgley of Grand Chain, who was his high school sweetheart after a courtship of 10 years, on September 18, 1965 and they enjoyed 43 years of marriage. Survivors include his wife, Lenora Dobbs of Marion; son and daughter-in-law, Charles “Chuck” and Lori Dobbs of Jackson, Missouri; daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Tracy Len and Dr. Brian Gualano of Asheville, North Carolina; grandchildren, Chandler, Braeden and Parker Dobbs and Ethan, Elliot and Isabella Gualano; his mother, Edna Dobbs of Johnston City; sister, Barbara Cripps of Johnston City; brothers and sisters-in-law, Bennie and Pat Dobbs of Lansing, Ronald and Donna Dobbs of Marion and Gary and Cindi Dobbs of Valparaiso, Indiana; many nieces and nephews; uncle, Frank Vorhees of Murphysboro; and his toy poodle, “Cassi”. He was preceded in death by father; aunts and uncles; and grandparents. Mr. Dobbs graduated from Grand Chain High School in 1958 where he loved playing center on the basketball team. He graduated from SIU, majoring in Machine Tool and Dye. After graduation he worked at the Southern Illinois Power Co-op at the Lake of Egypt, where he was the lead man of the maintenance department, he dearly loved his crew of fellow workers. He worked there for 38 years until he became disabled by Alzheimer’s in 1996. He was a member of the IBEW Local 702. He enjoyed wood crafts, fishing on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, rabbit hunting, camping and traveling the United States, especially to see his grandchildren whom he loved dearly. He also raised and trained beagles for several years. He dearly loved his family and friends and will be missed by all who knew him. The family wishes to thank Dr. Jack Keller and staff, Heartland Regional, and the staff at Whispering Oaks for the care they gave to him recently and over the past 16 years.