Robert E. Fitzmaurice

1943 - 2025

Robert E. Fitzmaurice

February 2, 1943 - June 30, 2025

Robert E. Fitzmaurice, 82, of Minonk, passed away at 4:55 p.m. on June 30, 2025, at the Richard L. Owens Hospice Home, Peoria, Ill., after an ongoing battle with cancer.

Robert was born in Minonk, Ill., on February 2, 1943, the son of Emmett and Rachel (Schilling) Fitzmaurice. Robert attended the local schools and worked the family farm until his enlistment in the United States Army as a member of the distinguished 82nd Airborne Division out of Fort Benning, Ga. After his Honorable Discharge from military service, Robert began a career as a member of Illinois' State Police. After a longstanding and recognized career in law enforcement, Robert retired with honors, and spent the last several years managing the family farm of Centennial recognition, originally purchased 1869. Robert was a devout Catholic and a parishioner of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Minonk. Robert's service included memberships in the Minonk Knights of Columbus Council #985, and the Streator Council Knights of Columbus where he was a Fourth Degree member. He was a member of the Illinois Retired State Troopers Association, and was an avid train enthusiast.

Robert fell in love later in life and married Patricia Wilder on October 1, 2005, in El Paso, Ill. After 12 happy years traveling and pursuing life together on the farm, Patricia passed away on November 2, 2017. Robert was preceded in death by his parents and brother, William. He is survived by his brother, Glenn Fitzmaurice of Hennepin, Ill.; niece, Laura Ann (Fitzmaurice) Fraser of Eau Claire, Wis.; nephew, Donald William Fitzmaurice of Fort Atkinson, Wis.; and six stepchildren, Mary Beth Stanton (Corning, N.Y.), David C. Wilder (Auburn, N.Y.), Rev. Daniel J. Wilder (Tehachapi, Calif.), Michele Eastman (Pine City, N.Y.), Julie Brown (Cazenovia, N.Y.) and Lynda Kollhoff (Painted Post, N.Y.).

Visitation will be this Friday, July 11th, from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial 11 a.m., at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 207 W. 3rd Street, Wenona, Ill. Burial with military honors will be at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery, Minonk. Ruestman Harris Funeral Home of Minonk is assisting the family with arrangements.

Donations in Robert's memory can be made to Boys Town. Condolences may be sent to his family at www.ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com.

Ruestman Harris Funeral Home

775 N. Chestnut St., Minonk, IL 61760

309-432-3999