Robert E. Collenberger

Robert E. Collenberger, 91 of Urbana, passed away at home September 16, 2023.  Robert was born October 18, 1931 in Jerseyville, Illinois, the son of George R. and Jesse (McFain) Collenberger.  He married Mary Ann Bristow on June 14, 1951 having been married 70 years before Mary’s passing.   He is survived by three daughters, Linda Schaffer (Rick), Mary Ann Heller and Tammy Drook (Jeff), a son, Christopher Collenger (Brenda), seven grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.

Robert graduated from Paris High School where he was active in basketball, track and cross country.  He attended Eastern Illinois University for a short period of time before enlisting in the Navy where he was stationed in Key West, Florida aboard the USS Howard W. Gilmore. 

Upon Bob and Mary’s return from the Navy, Bob worked as an Illinois State Trooper where he was given the nickname of “Cowboy”.   Robert then turned his passion for carpentry into a home building business and later building numerous area restaurants as general contractor.  Bob was an avid hunter, gun enthusiast, private pilot and first class woodworker, who could build anything, and he did.

This past February Bob was inducted into the inaugural Class of 2022 Paris High School Athletic Hall of Fame for winning the 1947 State Cross Country Championship.

Burial will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Paris.

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