Robert E. Batistini, age 86, of Earlville, passed away on May 6, 2022 at LaSalle County Nursing Home.
Funeral services will be held 12:00 P.M. Noon Friday, May 13th at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd at Oakwood Memorial Park with Pastor Del Kielman officiating. Visitation will be an hour prior to the services. Pallbearers will be grandchildren, Brayden Batistini, Jeff Riley, Jenny Riley, Kathryn Rosene and Laura Blatnik, and friends Thomas Myers and Steven Lenertz. Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Robert was born on November 2, 1935 in Standard, Illinois on the Ignacio and Josephine Bernardi Farm. He was the son of Raymond “Busty” and Mary B. (Bernardi) Batistini. He married Dorothy Hendrix on August 11, 1956 at St. Mary’s Church in Naplate. Surviving Robert are his wife, Dorothy Joan Batistini; a son, Donald Ray (Pamela) Batistini; a daughter, Kathleen Jo (Bradley) Riley; grandchildren, Jeffrey(Serena) Riley, Jennifer (Kyle Brighton) Riley, Laura (George) Blatnik, Kathryn (Zachary) Rosene; step grandchildren, Shaun (Julie) DeFore, Shannon (Andrew) Nanouski, 11 great grandchildren, and sisters in law, Sandra Batistini and Helen (Dave) Michelsen. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Gary Allen Batistini, and a brother, Dennis Batistini.
Robert was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Naplate. He worked at Libby Owens and retired after 30 years. After his retirement he worked at Highway 13 Boat Dock in Kimberling City, Missouri for 16 years. Robert enjoyed fishing, gardening, and golf. He was a craftsman who enjoyed woodworking and would make wooden spoons, knives and crafts, some of which he entered in the Sandwich Fair. He was an avid collector of arrowheads, salt dips, cruets and cut glass. More than anything, Robert enjoyed spending time with his family and will be deeply missed by family and friends.
He was laid to rest in the Garden of the Last Supper.