Robert Joseph McCormick

Robert J. McCormick Carbondale—Robert Joseph McCormick, 86, of Carbondale passed away suddenly on Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 4:56 PM in Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. Funeral services for Robert will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 11:00 AM at Blue Funeral Home in Marion with Reverend Robbey Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Oddfellows Cemetery in Marion. A time of gathering for family and friends of Robert is to be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at the funeral home. The family wishes that memorial donations be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois; envelopes will be available during services or may be sent C/O Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, IL, 62959. Mr. McCormick was born on Monday, May 4, 1925 in rural Marion to Ray & Ora (Cawthorn) McCormick. Robert graduated from Marion Township High School in 1943 and immediately enlisted in the United States Marine Corps; in which he served until June 21, 1946. After an Honorable Discharge from the USMC, Robert attended and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Oklahoma. As part of his schooling at OU, he graduated from the Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC) with a Reserve Commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Engineers. He was working as an engineer on the Joppa Power Plant Construction when called to Active Duty during the Korean Conflict; he served for 15 months before returning to the Joppa Construction Project. In March of 1954 Robert joined the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and served in various capacities of construction, design, local roads and materials until his retirement in 1986 after 32 years of service. In May of 1974, he was united in marriage to Georgia L. (Baker) Childers of Carbondale; combining 7 children from previous marriages. Together he and Georgia shared just shy of 38 happy and successful years together, which included travels to many foreign countries. Robert is survived by his loving wife, Georgia; children, Richard & Jill McCormick, Myron “Ron” McCormick, Clyde & Rhonda Childers, Carolyn & Robert Murray, Donna Rae McCormick and Janet Smith & friend Bob Casper; siblings, Raymond & Bernice McCormick, Helen & Harry Ohms and June Ann & Robert McKinney; in-laws, Dale & Cora Baker, Ron & Joyce Baker, John Baker, Carolyn Baker, Robert & Barbara Baker and Carole Baker; Six Grandchildren; Three Great-Grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; adopted daughter, Julia Lovett; sister, Betty McNeely; brothers-in-law, Leon McNeely and Guy Baker.