Robert E. “Bob” Falls

FALLS, RITENOUR, ROGERS, LIPSCOMB, MELTON, GROHARING, ORTO

Posted By: Ruth Maring - Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/18/2006 at 15:42:34

The Clinton Herald
Published: August 15, 2006 02:16 pm

Robert E. “Bob” Falls

THOMSON, Ill. — Robert E. “Bob” Falls, 80, of Thomson, died Sunday at his home.

He was born May 20, 1926, to Walter T. and Helen Ritenour Falls in Parke County, Ind. He grew up in Thomson. He married Mary Rogers on Aug. 11, 1951, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Savanna.

He attended local schools.

He served in the U.S. Navy where he served as a motor mechanic aboard LST 961 and 1102 in the Pacific Islands, Japan and China, delivering supplies and support to U.S. troops and transporting troops out following island battles.

He returned home in 1946 and worked briefly as a farm hand, brakeman with the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific railroads and as an electrician apprentice with Shaner and Handel before moving to Corey’s where he did appliance repair and gas delivery for 19 years. In 1966, he worked with the U.S. Corps of Engineers as a towboat operator before retiring in 1986.

He was a member of the U.S. LST Association, Illinois LST Association and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.

Survivors include his wife; one son, Robert L. Falls of Thomson; one daughter, Arly (Mick) Lipscomb of Irvine, Ky.; one grandchild; three sisters, June Melton of Rotunda West, Fla., Mary Groharing of Freeport, Ill., and Patricia (Carl) Orto of Loveland, Colo.; one brother, Jack (Berniece) Falls of Savanna, Ill.; and many nieces and nephews.

Condolences may be made online at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and one brother.

Death date: Aug. 13, 2006