Robert D. Kensil

Robert Dean “Bob” Kensil, 88, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 10:20 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025, in Shelbyville Manor, Shelbyville, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 7, 2025, in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL, with Rev. Tina Miller officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 6, 2025, in the funeral home. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL, with military rites by the Shelby County Honor Guard. Memorials may be given to the First Christian Church of Shelbyville or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Mr. Kensil was born on October 24, 1936, at Riverdale Farm in Shelby County, IL, the son of John Thomas and Edith (Luck) Kensil. In 1953, Bob’s family moved to Tower Hill, where he attended high school and graduated in the Class of 1954. He served in the U.S. Army on active duty from 1955 to 1957 and then in the U.S. Army Reserves until 1962, earning the rank of Sergeant. Bob married Martha Ann Syfert on July 1, 1961, in Shelbyville, IL, and they were blessed with three children, Curtis, Sandra and Julia. He worked for the Oliver Corporation in Shelbyville from 1961-1971. Bob then worked as the golf course superintendent for the Shelby Country Club for over twenty years and then for Timberlake Golf Course near Findlay, IL, for six years. He was a 77-year member of the First Christian Church in Shelbyville, where he was baptized in 1948. Bob was also a member of Jackson Masonic Lodge #53 and Moose Lodge #1294 both in Shelbyville. He was an avid fan of Fighting Illini football and basketball and St. Louis Cardinal baseball.

He is survived by his wife, Martha; children, Curtis Lane Kensil of Shelbyville, IL, Sandra Jo Reed of Windsor, IL and Julia Ann Keown of Taylorville, IL; “adopted children”, Nora Chrisman of Cowden, IL and Robert Grey of Taylorville, IL; grandchildren, Jess Reed, Jacob Reed, Maggie Powell (Brian), Wade Keown (Kristy), Zackary Keown, and Garrett Keown (Krista Downey); great grandchildren, Delaney Keown, Wyatt Keown, Rayne Reed, Henry Reed, Addy Powell, Anabelle Moore and Sophia Crowe; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Robert Scribner; and siblings, Ruby Welsh, June Dickinson, Dale “Cork” Kensil, Kenneth “Fuzz” Kensil, Jack Kensil, Jr., and John “Howard” Kensil.