JAMES ROBERT "BOB" CHUNN, 82, of rural Ruma, Illinois died late Friday night, March 1, 2013, with a glint in his eye, a smile and laugh on his face, and happiness in his heart, holding the hand of the sweetheart of his life, Claudene Goldie. Bob was born on a humble farm April 6, 1930 to Jesse and Della (nee Griffith) Chunn in East Prairie, Missouri, 7th child of a large family of 12, Joseph (Helen), Alice (Ted Knigge), Herbert (Mary), Lillie (Harvey Eggemeyer), Victor (Juanita), Wayne (Rose), Faye, Allen (Johnny), Patty (Ray Stone), Myron (Lucy) and Kathryn. Bob lived out his boyhood dreams many fold and was the ultimate self-made man; first getting an education by moving away from his Evansville boyhood farm at the young age of 14 to get a job as a cook, manage a diner and attend Sparta High School and play football. At 18, he proudly served his country in post-World War II France in the American Graves Registration at Granville and Saint-Pair-sur-Mer (Normandy), on the team forming the war cemeteries. He began a courtship April 3, 1948 with a beautiful young farm girl, Claudene Simpson, from another large family outside Ruma. They were married at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, October 7, 1950 and enjoyed a wonderful, long life together. They lovingly and with constant support raised six children, Richard Dale (Susan), Carol Lynn Couch (Richard), the late Steven Ray (Jayna), Tina Marie (Jay) Erickson, Ronald Alan (Melaney) and Kristie Lynn Budnicki (John). They adored their grandchildren, Candace Coulombe (Marc), Joshua Luecking (Courtney), Lindsey Briggs (Dan), ETSN Patrick and Alicia Erickson, Joy, Jordan and Katelyn Budnicki, angels Steeli and Sammy Chunn, and their great-grandchildren, Parker, Claudette and Margot Coulombe, Evelyn, Natalie and soon-to-be-born Briggs, and Aubree Budnicki. He was godfather to Margaret Ann (Peggy) Hayes, Teresa Quick and Levi Chunn. A beloved husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, godfather, brother, brother-in-law, cousin, uncle and friend. Bob was a caring, kind, generous, determined, happy, optimistic man with a huge heart, who was much loved by his very large family and many, many friends. He never met a stranger, always a friend to everyone. He loved the outdoors, his tractor and his beautiful country log home on Shady Oak Lane. He lived his life to the very fullest to the very last hour, never letting up or giving in, working hard, giving back to his family, friends and community, always with love, patience and his trademark smile and laugh. He was a giant and a leader in his lifelong field of Purchasing, St. Patrick's Church, Randolph County Republican Party and community at large. His many services and accomplishments include President of St. Patrick's Church Council & spearheading building a new church hall, Eucharistic Minister, Chancellor of Evansville Knights of Columbus, Vice Commander of Red Bud Veteran of Foreign Wars, Prairie du Rocher American Legion member, Chairman of Randolph County Republican Party, DuQuoin State Fair Advisory Board member, President of Evansville School Board and spearheading building a new school, President and Director of National Affairs of Purchasing Management Association of St. Louis, St. Louis Purchasing Man of the Year, Certified Purchasing Manager, teacher of many Purchasing seminars, President of St. Louis Chapter of Society American Value Engineers, President of South County and Salem Toastmasters, District 8 Toastmaster of the Year and Distinguished Toastmaster, started boys' Khoury League in Evansville, founding member of Evansville Athletic Association, South St. Louis County CYC Board member, longtime coach of boys' baseball and basketball in Evansville, Red Bud and St. Louis. Many thanks to Dr. Amy Rohlfing and her staff at Red Bud Regional and the countless doctors, nurses, aides and therapists at Mercy Hospital, ADHC, Quarters of Des Peres and Addus who tirelessly and cheerfully helped Bob through his recent illness. Donations may be made to the Ronald Reagan Scholarship Fund of Randolph County, St. Patrick's Cemetery Fund, or Mass Intentions. Visitation will be at the Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home in Red Bud, Illinois on Friday, March 8, 2013 from 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm and on Saturday, March 9, 2013 from 8:00 am - 10:00 am. Following a funeral procession through Red Bud and Ruma; a Mass of the Resurrection will be held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Ruma, Illinois, 11:00 am, Saturday, March 9, 2013 with Father Clyde Grogan, Msgr. Dennis Schaefer and Father Ralph Renner, S.J. officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
