Robert (Bob) Leroy Coburn

Robert (Bob) Leroy Coburn, 92, of Harrisburg, Illinois, passed from this life on Monday, January 13, 2025, at home surrounded by his family.

     Bob was born August 15,1932 in Geyserville, California to the late Ernest Alfred and Ethel Amanda Coburn. He was the sixth of eight children, all of whom preceded him in death: Evelyn Herring, Alfred C Coburn, Wesley Coburn, Ernest (Ernie) Coburn Jr., Elsie Northen, Lois Berry, and Ruth Holman. He was educated at Pacific Christian Academy at Graton, California, and in 1954 graduated from Harding College in Searcy, Arkansas, with a B.A. in Bible and a minor in Elementary Education.

     Bob married Grace McReynolds on June 7, 1954, and four children were born from this union. They reached the milestone of their 70th wedding anniversary on June 7, 2024. Grace preceded him in death on September 18, 2024.

     Bob was baptized into Christ in April, 1944 at age 11 in Santa Rosa, California, and early in his life he decided that he wanted to preach. He preached for the churches of Christ in Earle, Arkansas; Harrisburg, Arkansas; Dierks, Arkansas; Savoy, TX; Forsyth, MO; and Harrisburg, IL (1988-1998). In addition to his domestic preaching, he participated in four international mission trips with Campaigns for Christ to: Sydney, Australia (1969); Port Elizabeth, South Africa (1970); Canberra, Australia (1971); Wellington, New Zealand (1972). He also worked at various times as a bus driver, volunteer fire fighter, caregiver, and served six years on the board of New Pathways for Children in Melber, Kentucky.

     Bob is survived by daughters Barbara (& Daniel) Holt of Murfreesboro, TN; Cathy (& Paul) Mowrer of Ackerman, MS; Alice (& Max) Teehee of Searcy, AR; and Dusta (& Barry) Hatfield of Streetsboro, OH; ten grandchildren: Jennifer (Greg) DeMario of Murfreesboro, TN; Laura (Nathan) Thomas of Smyrna, TN; Angie (Neil) Rampy of Fairfax, VA; Valerie (Corey) Bryant of Greenville, MS; Adam (Claire) Mowrer of Harvest, AL; Benjamin (Shelby) Teehee of Mercersburg, PA; Carrie (Schuylar) Davis of Searcy, AR; Josh (Courtney) Hatfield of Missouri City, TX; Jacob (Moriah) Hatfield of Centerton, AR; Amy (Greg) Hall of Indianapolis, IN; great-grandchildren: Grant, Isaac & Aaron DeMario; Josiah & Anna Grace Thomas; Brett & Colin Rampy; Evelyn & Harry Bryant; Paul Thomas Mowrer & baby Mowrer expected in June; Peyton, Ryleigh Grace & Houston Teehee; Matthew Hatfield; Baby Girl Hatfield expected in May; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

     Funeral services for Robert (Bob) Leroy Coburn will be held at 10 AM, Friday, January 17, 2025 at the Church of Christ in Harrisburg.  The Family will officiate and burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 5 PM to 7 PM, Thursday, January 16, 2025 at the Church of Christ in Harrisburg.   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Pathways for Children, Hospice of Southern Illinois, or Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort, Inc.   

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