In Memoriam - Bob Lathrop

Bobbie Ray Lathrop

His name was Bobbie not Robert. 

Born: Nov. 25, 1934, Wayne Co., Illinois
Died: Jan. 24, 2020, Sterling, Whiteside Co., Illinois

Buried: Jan. 30, 2020 Oak Knoll Memorial Park, Sterling, IL


Married: Doretta Blayney, Aug. 19, 1956, 4th Street Methodist Church, Sterling, Illinois

Children:
Debra 

• Tahlea b. 1980, d. 1982

Machele
Michael md. 1) Unkyong Chong, 2) Elizabeth Kremin

• Daniel
• Justin b. 1992, d. 2011
• Stephanie md. Richard Aufdermauer
• Ashley md. Dillon Hicks

Paul md. Dawn Pankhurst

• Jordan
• Tyler md. Carly

Bob was the son of Albert Lathrop & Grace Butler.

Bob Lathrop, 85 of Sterling took his first steps in heaven with his Savior after gently slipping away in his sleep on January 24, 2020.  Bob was born in Wayne County, Illinois on November 25, 1934, the son of Albert & Grace (Butler) Lathrop. He married Doretta Blayney on August 19, 1956 in Sterling. 

Bob worked at Northwestern Steel and Wire for 42 years. 

He was an elder of Community of Christ in Sterling, where he served as pastor for 15 years. Bob served on the church building committee, was superintendent of Sunday school, counselor at church camp, and volunteered for the Fish Pantry.  He was also involved with the Rock River Valley International Fellowship, and served as host for international visitors. Bob was also a proud blood donor, donating many gallons to the American Red Cross.

Survivors include his wife Doretta; two daughters, Debra Lathrop of Rock Falls, and Machele Gage of Dixon; two sons, Michael (Elizabeth) Lathrop of Basalt, Idaho, and Paul (Dawn) Lathrop of Sterling; three sisters Bonnie (Ivan) Holler of Fairfield, Betty Porter of Georgia and Barbara (Robert) Bolton of Fairfield; and five grandchildren, Daniel Lathrop, Jordan Lathrop, Stephanie (Richard) Aufdermauer, Tyler (Carly) Lathrop and Ashley (Dillon) Hicks. 

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers Bill & Jim Lathrop; one sister Dorothy Utley, and two grandchildren, Justin and Tahlea.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 pm on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at McDonald Funeral Home, Rock Falls. Funeral service will follow on Thursday, January 30, 2020 at 11 am at the funeral home. Burial will be in Oak Knoll Memorial Park, Sterling, Illinois.