Cecil Robinson Jr.

     Cecil Robinson Jr, age 95, of Harrisburg, Illinois passed away at 4:50 PM, Friday, February 28, 2025 at his residence surrounded by his family.

     Cecil was born on July 12, 1929 in Hardin County, Illinois to the late Cecil and Maudie (Fricker) Robinson Sr. On October 27, 1950 he married Pauline Lee and she preceded him in death on March 5, 2004. He later married Thelma Milligan on July 8, 2006 and she survives. Cecil was a brick mason and owned his own business, Robinson Brother’s Masonry for over 40 years. He also worked many years in law enforcement in Wayne County, Missouri. Cecil served his country with honor in the United States Army as an MP during World War II. He earned an Expert Marksmanship medal and was stationed in Europe in the Army of Occupation at the end of World War II. Cecil was a workaholic, but still enjoyed hunting and fishing in his younger years. He also enjoyed flower gardening and working on masonry projects around the house. If you came to visit, you would always find an episode of Gunsmoke on the television. Cecil also loved eating out somewhere nice and traveling with his wife Thelma; but his family was most important to him. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He loved spending time with his grandson, particularly taking his grandson Shawn to school and picking him up afterward. Cecil was a lifetime member of the Order of Eastern Star #337; Masonic Lodge #107 for 51 years. He served as an American Legion Commander from 1961 to 1981 and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

     In addition to his wife Thelma, Cecil is survived by six children, Brenda Swan and husband Ivan of Piedmont, Missouri; Clifford Robinson and wife Debbie of Harrisburg; Dennis Robinson of Harrisburg; Linda Ross and husband Roger of Piedmont, Missouri; Leon Beavers and wife Christiana of Paducah, Kentucky and Patty McDowell of Harrisburg; brothers and sisters, Deon Robinson of Elizabethtown; Brenda Raines of Golconda; and David Robinson and wife Joyce of Herod; twenty-eight grandchildren; fifty-three great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

     Cecil was preceded in death by his parents, wife Pauline; son, David Robinson; grandson, Anthony Robison; step-son, Terry Beavers; step-grandson, TJ Beavers; siblings, Arlene Fowler, Dolan Robinson, and Wiley Robinson; brothers and sister-in-law, Alan Raines, Dwayne Fowler and Wilda Robinson.

     Funeral services will be held at 1 PM, Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at Stricklin Funeral Home with Masonic Rites conducted by Harrisburg Masonic Lodge #325. Rev. Harold Miller will officiate and burial will follow in Sunset Garden Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted by the United States Army, American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Visitation will be held from 5PM to 8 PM, Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at Stricklin Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Honeycomb Church of God and will be received at the funeral home. Condolences for Cecil’s family may be left on his obituary page at www.stricklinfuneralhome.com.     

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