Alice "Allie" Robards

Alice "Allie" Robards, 67, of Morton, formerly a longtime Washington resident, passed away at 6:00am Tuesday, January 20, 206 at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.

Allie was born December 18, 1958 in West Point, NY the daughter of Herschel H. an Margaret A. Cox Robards. Her parents and her sister, Mary, preceded her in death.

Allie lived surrounded by family and friends who loved her deeply. Those surviving include her second family who cared for Allie for over 17 years in a program through EPIC called Host Family. Her family includes her mom, Keo Thompson (Lori Newberry) of Normal; her dad, Ed (Trina) Thompson of Morton; her sister Rachel (Jeff) Nieslawski of Hennepin; her brother Evan (Johnie) Thompson of Lexington, KY. Once her dad met Trina, her children Emily Keller (fiance Eric Campbell) and Eric Keller (Rhonda Grote) became her sister and brother. She is also survived by her nephews Grant Nieslawski (her buddy), Kason and Gavin Grote; nieces, Pemberley and Avonlea Thompson and Natalie Grote; and her house mate, Dee Dee May.

Allie was an individual at EPIC, participating in the older adults day program in Peoria. She last attended in December before becoming ill. Prior to being a part of the older adults class, she worked for many years at OES packing CAT parts and labeling boxes.

Allie loved life and there wasn't a person she met who didn't love her. She enjoyed attending church, dances, movies, Kentuckiana Kampground, and shopping. Allie lived in Washington until recently and was a fixture at the movies (with a Coke in hand), high school football games, and around town at stores and restaurants. Her favorite store was Kroger and she loved Washington Family Restaurant where the staff knew her well. She was a diehard Cardinals fan who held firm over the years as Ed good-naturedly tried to convert her to a Cubs fan.

A celebration of life will be hosted at EPIC at 3:00pm on Friday, February 6, 2026. Graveside service will be held at Chillicothe City Cemetery at 11:00am Saturday, February 7, 2026.

Allie's family would like to thank the many people who cared for her at St. Francis and Richard L. Owens. They knew that she was being given loving, compassionate care even when they couldn't be there. Thank you to EPIC for the love and support you have given Allie over the years.

Memorial contributions may be made to EPIC or Special Olympics.