Robert H. Cordell

1930 - 2022

Robert Henry Cordell, 92, Union, departed this life Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in St. Clair.

Robert was born May 5, 1930, in St. Louis, son of Clifford McKinley Cordell and wife Gertrude, nee Hundley. On Nov. 7, 1954, he was united in marriage to Phyllis Ann Bradshaw, and seven children came to bless this union.

Robert was a Christian, having been baptized, confirmed and member at First Presbyterian Church in Union. In his later years, he was a member and attended First Baptist Church in St. Clair. Robert attended Indian Prairie School and graduated from Union High School, Class of 1948. He was proud to have served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War with the 24th Infantry Division, entering Jan. 15, 1952, and receiving his honorable discharge Dec. 31, 1953.

He was a proud member of Easter Lodge 575 AF&AM in St. Clair. Robert had a rich work history, being employed by Edgar Murray International Harvester Farm Implement Dealership in St. Clair from 1954 to 1960, Frimel & Trentmann Lumber Yard in St. Clair from 1960 to 1974 as assistant manager and at Spartan Showcase in Union as a supervisor from 1974 until his retirement in 1999. Robert worked his livestock farm raising corn, wheat, hay and polled hereford cattle. He was a dedicated family man, loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and brother. He will be lovingly remembered by all.

Robert is survived by his sons, Paul H. Cordell, Union, and Dr. Robert C. Cordell and wife Dr. Casey Cordell, Independence; his daughters, Sarah Haberberger and husband Leroy, Alice Evans and husband William, all of Union, Mary Mook and husband Brett, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Laura Cordell and husband Michael Lobash, LaGrange, Illinois, and Martha E. Miller, Topeka, Kansas; one brother, Ralph C. Cordell, St. Louis; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one nephew; one niece; extended family members and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Gertrude Cordell; one infant brother, William Cordell; his sister, Maude Hood; his son-in-law, Jeff Miller; and his sister-in-law, Maxine Bradshaw.

Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, at Russell Colonial Funeral Home.

A funeral service was held at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at First Baptist Church, St. Clair, with the Rev. Michael Kinion officiating.

Interment, with full military honors, was in Union City Cemetery, Union.

Memorials may be made to the family for the Robert H. Cordell Union FFA Fund.

The family would like to thank the dedicated staff of St. Clair Skilled Nursing Center and the Mercy Hospice staff and volunteers who cared for Robert.

The Cordell Family was served by Russell Colonial Funeral Home, St. Clair.