Robert "Bob" Rafferty Obituary (1936 - 2020)

Bloomington - Robert Lee Rafferty, 83, of Bloomington, passed away on January 17th, 2020. Robert Rafferty was born on August 16th, 1936; the second son and 5th child of Ray and Gertrude Rafferty. Bob is survived by his wife JoAnn, and their two children Jeff (Chrysanne) Rafferty and Kristi (Keith) Sherwood and their respective families, all of San Diego, CA. Bob grew up during the great depression and WWII but his boyhood stories are of life on the farm with his six siblings: Ora Mae Sigler (deceased), Velma Rafferty (deceased), Wes Rafferty (deceased), Shirley (Robert) Rice, Lorraine (Roy) Beal, Grace (Loren) Bean and sister-in-law Marge Rafferty. Bob often told the tale of when he first spied his wife, JoAnn Hinthorn, over the cubicle wall while working at State Farm. He thought "Pinkie" was really cute and they married on June 15, 1958 in Lexington, Illinois. Together they built their life on a bedrock of family, faith and community. Bob fulfilled his calling as a skilled farmer in LeRoy for many years and took pride to ensure that his rows were straight and that he "walked the beans" often. He served as a respected member of the LeRoy Community School District Board and was a driving force at the McLean County Fair swine show. Bob graduated from LeRoy High School in 1954, where the fitting description under his senior yearbook photo was 'mischievous'. He was known for his relentless kidding, his genuine laugh, his work ethic, his love for family. While he would describe himself to be a simple man, he demonstrated a greatness of heart rarely found in these modern times. He was often the first to offer a helping hand and always the last to take credit for his accomplishments. Bob could strike up a conversation with just about anyone and they'd walk away richer from the experience of this kind and humble man. Bob's legacy lives in the lessons he taught, the stories he told and the family he cherished, especially with his grandchildren Bradley and Douglas Sherwood, Quinn and Kelsy Rafferty, and special grandson Steven Hollander. Visitation will be held at 9:30am, followed by service at 11am on Saturday, January 25th, both at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home in Bloomington, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be directed to OSF Healthcare Foundation (Hospice), St. Jude's Children's Hospital, and the National MS Society.