Jonathan Robeson

Jon Robeson took his zeal for adventure and dizzying organization systems from this world on October 7th, to go re-engineer and fix the next one.

Born in Smoke Run, PA on Jan. 17th, 1939, Jonathan Clay Robeson was born to Pearl and Myrv Robeson.  Butch, as he is known to his family, was the second oldest of five.  He sold newspapers, raised chickens, and tried just about everything to make a buck in his youth.

Jon was a complicated man who reveled in complications and disliked when people tried to summarize their position by starting a sentence with "basically" - "What does that even mean?" he'd say.  There were many details to consider and few to discard. He found modern football offensive schemes impractical, enjoyed spicy foods, but disliked garlic.  He liked to ignore mercy etiquette by sending someone in croquet (and the equivalence in ping-pong, Monopoly, Risk, and any card game one can conjure).  He insisted that batteries should be refrigerated for optimum storage, that almost everything should be labeled with a date, and he accomplished great feats with bungee cords.

Jon was the first in his family to graduate from college.  At Akron University he lettered in three sports while working his way through to make ends meet.  After joining the Army Corp. of Engineers (he served in the Reserves for 20 years) he met and soon married Carole Ann (Kennedy), the love of his life.  This occasion instantly made him the shortest relative of the Kennedy's extended clan, until his first nephew came along - who passed him up at age eleven.  "Uncle Stubbs" as he might be known in some quarters. Carole tempered his worst and brought out his best.  After confrontation he was always the first to make amends and worked hard, so hard, at improving himself as a human being.

Jon and Carole had three dissident/children, Cherrie, Yvette, and Jonny whom he loved unconditionally.  Despite being a world traveler through his employment at International Harvester and his regular weekend commitment to the Reserves, he was a constant and determined presence in his children's lives.  With inspired help from his wife, he found time to coach basketball, attend the YMCA's Indian Guides/Princesses with each kid, and basically (sorry Dad!) attend every event physically possible.

After retirement Jon and Carole moved from Elgin to Oregon where they were quickly embraced by their new community including the welcoming people at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Jon took his extraordinary ability to nap at nearly any occasion to a new level that could only be described as connoisseur.  Along with honing this talent, Jon plunged into the local golf scene.  He savored golf with friends, his league, and his grandsons.  He somehow scored a hole in one at the Silver Ridge Golf course.  The prevailing theory is the grass was cut short, the ground was dry, and the repetition of playing as much as possible to get the most out of his membership greatly increased the odds.

In Oregon Jon and Carole found true camaraderie with neighbors and friends who all assumed an astounding certainty of how this world should operate.  And despite the move to this North-Central Illinois community, the members of Carole and Jon's beloved Card Club would continue to endure his confidence for 50 years.

Jon is survived by his incredible wife Carole, daughters Cherrie Musial (John), Yvette Hubbman (Paul), son Jonathan Robeson Jr (Becky)., brothers Ronny, Jerry, Nick, and sister Leona.  His legacy is celebrated by grandsons Clay, Cliff, Nick, Ryan, Jonathan III, and granddaughters Louise and Ella.

While his family desperately wanted more time with Jon, they are reminded that he was born closer to the civil war than the day he left this world.  As a nine-year-old he saw Satchel Paige pitch for Cleveland.  Jon climbed the pyramids of Egypt, closed business deals in Bolivia, invested in a racetrack in Cuba before Castro's revolution, and he dived wholly into the experience of a loving family man.  Jon saw much in his years and got a lot out of this life.

Despite many pronounced objections, he loved so much in this world, and it was well reciprocated.

A memorial mass celebrating Jon’s life will commence at 10:30 AM on Saturday, October 15, 2022 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Oregon with Father Nail and Father Kramer officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:30-10:30 at the church.

In lieu of flowers any memorial donations can be made to St. Vincent DePaul or St. Mary’s CDA