Robert J. Henderson, 83, of Geneseo, passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2020, at his home in Geneseo. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 18, 2020, at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Geneseo Chapel. Deacon Harley Chaffee will officiate. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2020, at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the Robert J. Henderson Memorial Fund.
Robert was born February 24, 1937, the son of Cecil and Estelle (Bratcher) Henderson, in Lostant, IL. He graduated from Lostant High School, class of 1955. On August 11, 1956, he married Joan Heider, in Lostant. Together they had six children. Robert, Joan, and the children moved to Geneseo in 1969. After farming, he started his career in seed sales, at Pfister Hybrids in El Paso, IL, and later at Ferry Morse in Geneseo. He continued in the seed business until retirement. He was a member of Jaycees, Geneseo Rotary Club, Geneseo School Board, Geneseo City Council, lifetime member of the Geneseo Moose, and the honorary lifetime member of the Geneseo Country Club. He enjoyed playing musical instruments, especially his drums. He liked golfing, watching sports on TV, and was an avid Cubs fan. He especially loved spending time with his family.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Joan; children, Pam (Jerry) Snodgrass, Geneseo, Deb Cummings, Vinton, IA, Roberta “Bobbi” (J.D.) Miller, Yorkville, IL, Karen Johnson, Geneseo, Eric (Melanie) Henderson, Geneseo, and Darin (Angie) Henderson, Overland Park, KS; seventeen grandchildren, Justin (Jenny) Snodgrass, Jacey Cummings, Tanner Cummings, Katie (Mark) Turner, Chad (Angie) Miller, Brett (Ashley) Miller, Seth (Katherine) Miller, Brandon (Hannah) Stebbins, Hayley (Trevor) Olson, Madeline Henderson, Lilly Henderson, Heath Henderson, Faith Henderson, Grant Henderson, Carter Henderson, Payton Henderson, and Brody Henderson; six great-grandchildren; and brother Maurie (Mary) Henderson, Streator, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Estelle, brother, Marvin “Bud” Henderson, sisters, Eileen Reed and Rosemary Hagerty, granddaughter Tracy Snodgrass, and grandson, Neal Stebbins.