Tom Robinson

JONESBORO, Ill. -- William Thomas "Tom" Robinson III, 74, of Jonesboro died at 2:37 a.m. Monday, Sept. 26, 2016, at his home.

He was born Aug. 3, 1942, in Du Quoin, Illinois, the son of William Thomas and Aura Ruth Purkaple Robinson II. He married Kathy Weigand on April 16, 1966, in Galesburg, Illinois.

Tom is survived by his loving wife, Kathy Robinson of Jonesboro; six children, Michael (Liz) Robinson of Murphysboro, Illinois, Ann (Gary) Coleman of Jonesboro, Tim Robinson of Fort Myers, Florida, Mary Poole of Jonesboro, Beth Robinson of Cape Coral, Florida, and Lora Robinson of Anna, Illinois. Steve Tebbe of Port St. Lucie, Florida, and Kevin Starr Jr. of Miami were both extra sons to the family. Tom also was survived by 13 grandchildren, Logan and Trey Robinson, Kristen Grant, Samantha Coleman, Jessica Coleman, Sarah Coleman, Josh Poole, Zachary Poole, Mya Laster, David Im, Elaina Im, Matthew Remsey and Isabella Hawk; a great-grandchild, Emmett Godinez; a stepbrother, Chris Hamilton of Barry, Illinois; other relatives; and many friends.

He was preceded by his parents and a brother, Michael Robinson.

Tom was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Anna for many years. He proudly served his country in the Marine Corps. He retired after 35 years from Southern Illinois University, where he worked as the director of computing affairs. He later worked at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau for five years in IT. He served on the Jonesboro City Council for 20 years. He dearly loved his children and grandchildren, cooking and computers.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Anna, with the Rev. Federico Higuera officiating. Friends are invited to attend a luncheon immediately after Mass in the St. Mary's Catholic Church Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Envelopes will be available in the Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro and at the church.

To leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.