Bernard De Rubeis

1942 - 2024

Bernard De Rubeis
Born: June 9, 1942 in Streator, IL
Died: April 28, 2024 in Toluca, IL
Toluca
Bernard "Barney" A. De Rubeis, 81, of Toluca, passed away Sunday, April 28, 2024, at his home in Toluca surrounded by his family.
Visitation will be on Saturday, May 4, 2024, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Toluca. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m., officiated by Franciscan Friars. Burial will follow at St. Ann's Cemetery, where military rites will be accorded. Memorial contributions may be made to Eastern Marshall County EMS or MSW Projects. Calvert-Johnson & Froelich Memorial Home, Toluca, are in charge of arrangements.
Barney was born June 9, 1942, in Streator, IL, to Bernadino "Barney, Sr" and Vera (Lieder) De Rubeis.
Barney was previously married, and from that marriage, his children were born Gina Marie (Craig) Noe, of Henry, John B. (Lisa) De Rubeis, of Lake in the Hills, and Joseph D. De Rubeis. He later married Rebecca Stieber on January 05, 1991. From that marriage, he added Becky's son, Steve J. Staats, and daughter, Angelique T. (Trent) Monge, of Roanoke, to his family. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Jessica (David) Ashbeck and their children, Kenlee, Hannah, and Cecilia; Lindsay (Jeremy) Glenn, their children, Nora and Easton; Joshua Noe, Benjamin Monge, Maddisen De Rubeis, Clare Monge, and Emma De Rubeis. Barney's siblings are Nancy (the Late Tom), Healy of Wenona, Melvin De Rubeis of Toluca, and Mary Lou (Larry) Nicholson of Warrenton, MO.
Barney's sons, Joseph and Steve, brother Francis De Rubeis, and sister, Ruth Ann Norbits, preceded him in death.
Barney was an active member of St. Ann's Catholic Church, a member of the Knights of Columbus, wherein he achieved the high honor of Grand Knight.
Barney was a lifelong Toluca resident born and raised on a farm outside of town. Alongside his father and brothers, Barney worked tirelessly to grow the family farms. Together, they also built a business buying, selling and raising cattle. Because of his relentless work ethic, Barney grew to become the most generous, kind-hearted, yet stern, man. Soon after high school, Barney enlisted in the Army National Guard to serve his country. Barney coached his son John's Little League baseball team and was also a member of the Toluca School Board and the Toluca American Legion.
While farming, Barney and his brothers took an interest in teaching Toluca's youth the trade of working with their hands. Several young men have passed through the De Rubeis Brother's farms, with many have become successful businessman.
Several years ago, Barney and a couple of others had the vision to turn an overgrown, junk-littered area into a family park where festivals would be held and kids could run, fish, and laugh. That Park is known today as the Toluca Coal Mine. The Coal Mine Association, led by Barney for several years, held fall festivals, fishing derbies, weenie roasts with storytellers, history reenactments, and many other activities for the simple pleasure of watching families gather, relax, and have fun.
Barney, his brother Frank, and businessman Phil McCully donated ground to build a ball diamond complex. Barney has spent his entire life making Toluca a better place.
After retiring from farming, Barney started various businesses in his later years. He sold seed to farmers, started a grain company called De Rubeis Grain, and began De Rubeis Insurance Company to insure fellow farmers' crops. He also started the Red Road Company and developed Iron Horse Subdivision.
Barney's legacy will be upheld through Trent and Ben continuing to operate the businesses, while the family farm lives on through the work of his great-grandson.
Online condolences may be made to: www.calvertmemorial.com.