Robert “Bob” D. Jornlin, 84, of Earlville, IL passed away Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Punta Gorda, FL. He was born May 30,1939 in Ottawa, IL, the son of Maurice and Viola (Opie) Jornlin. Bob graduated from Earlville High School and Monmouth College with degrees in Geology and Math. He then enlisted in the Navy and attended Officer Candidate School. He was a proud veteran of the US Navy having served from 1961 to 1965 on two ships known as LST's. He married Lois Mae Melton on May 22,1965 in Aurora, IL and went on to have 2 children, Kirk and Kim.
Bob always loved agriculture and was employed as a District Sales manager for three different seed companies in his career. He also farmed many years with his dad who was his best friend. He was perfect for the job as he never met a stranger. He cherished his friends and had many throughout his travels in the US. His love for family, friends, and life in general was obvious to all who knew him. Along with his wife, Lois, he wintered in sunny Florida for 30+ years and acquired great friends there as well.
Bob was instrumental in the restoration of the USS LST Ship 325 and was Captain of the vessel. He and his small crew of 28 veterans (average age of 72) sailed the ship from Greece to Mobile AL, arriving on January 10, 2001. To document the historic journey, he authored a book, "Bringing Back a Hero." The ship is now a museum ship that travels under its own power to cities throughout the Midwest and East coast. It provides history to the youth and honors those who served with and on these vessels during the war. When not traveling, the ship is docked in Evansville, Indiana.
Over the last few years Bob spent countless hours restoring a 1947 Willys jeep converting it into a Navy jeep to take to parades.
He is survived by his wife, Lois, two children, Kirk (Valerie) Jornlin, Belton, TX and Kim (Anthony) Schau, North Liberty, IA. Also survived by five grandchildren - Lori Jornlin and Samantha Jornlin, Kia (Drew) Wagner, Alexis Schau and Hunter Schau and two great-grandchildren, Landon Jornlin and Everlee Wagner, several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Maurice (Duke) Jornlin, Jr, one sister, Shirley Hoffman, and one nephew, Ronald Hoffman.
Bob was a member of the Earlville United Presbyterian Church, the Earlville Lions Club, and the Earlville American Legion Post 549. When he lived in Rochelle, he was past president of the Rotary Club, a member of the Masonic Lodge and Shrine in Rockford, and past President of the Rochelle Wildlife Club.
Visitation will be held at the United Presbyterian Church in Earlville, 620 S Ottawa St. Earlville, IL from 5:00PM-7:00PM Wednesday, March 13th. The funeral will be held at the church at 11:00AM on Thursday, March 14.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Earlville United Presbyterian Church, the American Legion Post 549, or the USS LST 325 Ship Memorial, at 610 NW Riverside Dr., Evansville, IN 47708.
Arrangements were entrusted to Hanley-Turner-Eighner Funeral Home in Earlville, IL. For more information or to sign the online guest book go to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com
Hanley-Turner-Eighner Funeral Home
407 S. Ottawa St. ~ PO Box 808
Earlville, IL 60518
(815) 246-6491
Bob always loved agriculture and was employed as a District Sales manager for three different seed companies in his career. He also farmed many years with his dad who was his best friend. He was perfect for the job as he never met a stranger. He cherished his friends and had many throughout his travels in the US. His love for family, friends, and life in general was obvious to all who knew him. Along with his wife, Lois, he wintered in sunny Florida for 30+ years and acquired great friends there as well.
Bob was instrumental in the restoration of the USS LST Ship 325 and was Captain of the vessel. He and his small crew of 28 veterans (average age of 72) sailed the ship from Greece to Mobile AL, arriving on January 10, 2001. To document the historic journey, he authored a book, "Bringing Back a Hero." The ship is now a museum ship that travels under its own power to cities throughout the Midwest and East coast. It provides history to the youth and honors those who served with and on these vessels during the war. When not traveling, the ship is docked in Evansville, Indiana.
Over the last few years Bob spent countless hours restoring a 1947 Willys jeep converting it into a Navy jeep to take to parades.
He is survived by his wife, Lois, two children, Kirk (Valerie) Jornlin, Belton, TX and Kim (Anthony) Schau, North Liberty, IA. Also survived by five grandchildren - Lori Jornlin and Samantha Jornlin, Kia (Drew) Wagner, Alexis Schau and Hunter Schau and two great-grandchildren, Landon Jornlin and Everlee Wagner, several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Maurice (Duke) Jornlin, Jr, one sister, Shirley Hoffman, and one nephew, Ronald Hoffman.
Bob was a member of the Earlville United Presbyterian Church, the Earlville Lions Club, and the Earlville American Legion Post 549. When he lived in Rochelle, he was past president of the Rotary Club, a member of the Masonic Lodge and Shrine in Rockford, and past President of the Rochelle Wildlife Club.
Visitation will be held at the United Presbyterian Church in Earlville, 620 S Ottawa St. Earlville, IL from 5:00PM-7:00PM Wednesday, March 13th. The funeral will be held at the church at 11:00AM on Thursday, March 14.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Earlville United Presbyterian Church, the American Legion Post 549, or the USS LST 325 Ship Memorial, at 610 NW Riverside Dr., Evansville, IN 47708.
Arrangements were entrusted to Hanley-Turner-Eighner Funeral Home in Earlville, IL. For more information or to sign the online guest book go to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com
Hanley-Turner-Eighner Funeral Home
407 S. Ottawa St. ~ PO Box 808
Earlville, IL 60518
(815) 246-6491
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