Robert N. Downen Obituary (1944

Robert N. "Bob" Downen, 76, of Gridley, IL passed away at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 28, 2020 at his home. Cremation rites will be accorded and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Calvert-Johnson & Froelich Memorial Home, El Paso, IL. Is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials may be made to Gridley EMS. Robert was born February 18, 1944 in Bloomington, IL the son of Neal and June Tool Downen. He married Susan K. Lancaster on April 11, 1964 in Bloomington. She survives along with his mother June Downen of Normal; two daughters Shari (Greg) King and Laura Price both of Gridley; one brother Ron (Janice) Downen of Garden Grove, IA and sisters Betty (Kenny) Landrus of Thompson, OH, Connie Armstrong of El Paso, and Debbie (Ken) Ford of Kenney; one sister-in-law Patricia Downen of Secor; four grandchildren Lindsey Price, Robert Mohr, Richard and Kyle King, and 5 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his Father Neal, his Stepfather Harold and one brother Donald. Bob was a member of the Christ Community Church, Gridley. He graduated from Gridley High School and joined the Marine Corp. in 1963 right after graduation. He studied Criminal Justice at ICC in Peoria and joined the Normal Police Dept, where he became a detective and served for 7 years. He finished his working life as the Police Chief of Gridley, where he retired after 20 years. Bob was beloved by the Gridley community, where the kids called him Bob the cop. Bob loved to hunt and fish. He did taxidermy and spent a lot of time building with his hands. He will be greatly missed.