Robert Frye

CHILLICOTHE - Robert "Bob" Duane Frye, 77, of Chillicothe passed away Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, at his residence.

He was born May 9, 1935, to Lloyd Reese and Martha Louis (Gilbert) Frye in Mattoon, Ill. He married Norma Iris Bland on June 28, 1952, in Albion, Ill. Together they had six children. He later married Vivian Mae Cook/Sebring on Dec. 17, 1987, in Peoria, Ill.

Surviving are his wife, Vivian; his eight children, Alycia L. Smith (Allen) of Fort Wayne, Ind., Catherine S. Buckingham (Keith) of Germantown Hills, Ill., Cynthia L. Frye of Peoria, Ill., Robert D. Frye of Peoria, Ill., Melody M. Heiderich (Jon) of Kendall, Wis., and John E. Frye (Elaine) of Peoria, Ill., and two stepdaughters, Kimberly D. Poggi (Mark) of Springfield, Ill., and Lori D. Durst (Howard) of St. Cloud, Fla., 22 grandchildren, Christopher Smith (Mandi), Erin Marie Stevenson (Brandon), Joshua Buckingham, Timothy Buckingham, Catherine Buckingham, Kurt Heiderich, Joe Heiderich, Clayton Heiderich, Nita Heiderich, Eric Frye (Katy), Nicole Kennedy (Garrett), Jordan Frye, Connor Frye, Aaron Patterson (Lisa), Brandon Patterson, Tiffany Durst, Isla May Dust, Tabetha Vailes (Steven), Brandy Potts (Steven), Kenneth Kilver, Phillip Kilver, and John Kilver; and 10 great-grandchildren, Jackson Smith, Lyndi Smith, Isabella Patterson, Skyla Vailes, Cassie Vailes, Lindsay Vailes, Hunter Vailes, Brice Potts, Brittany Potts and Evan Potts. Also surviving are two sisters, Carol Beauchamp (Bob) of Glasgow, Ky., and Sharon Bentley of Yorktown, Va.,; one sister-in-law, Nancy Frye of Winthrop Harbor, Ill., and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Lloyd Frye; a sister, Dorothy Carter; and a granddaughter, Britny Durst.

His work history started in 1951 with Kuehne's factory in Mattoon, Ill., 1953-1958 at Caterpillar, 1957-1977 in the service station business, last owning Bob Frye Marathon at the corner of Forest Hill and Gale, 1977-1980 he worked part time at Peoria Motors. In November 1958, he started his career as a firefighter, serving at the Richwood's Volunteer Fire Department until February 1965, when he was appointed to the Peoria Fire Department. On Nov. 15, 1982, he was promoted to assistant chief, assuming position as shift commander of shift one. He remained in that position until he retired in November 1993. After retirement, he worked part time at Peter's Floral in Chillicothe and Central Illinois Courier, last working in June 2012.

Family was always his primary concern and he always reached out to help those he loved.

Bob had a mischievous sense of humor and loved to tease, making someone laugh being the ultimate destination. Bob's thirst of knowledge could only be quenched by immersing himself in things like his books, the History channel and the newspaper.

During his life Bob valued his friendships with Dick Moore, Jim Stockstill and Dennis Adkinson. Many, many good times were had with all of them.

We wish to thank the Adkinson's family for all their love and support during our time of need.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, at Weber-Hurd Funeral Home in Chillicothe. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Chillicothe Fire Department or the Peoria Fire Department Benevolent Fund. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.weberhurdfuneralhome.com.