Robert Suprenant

To those who knew Robert Suprenant, it was clear that he was a man with a strong work ethic who was passionate about his work. In fact, he put his heart and soul into whatever he was doing whether he was working, serving his country, or just having fun. Bob loved having a good time so the party naturally ended up at his house more times than not. A true family man, Bob was blessed with six children, fifteen grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren who will carry on his legacy of hard work and goodwill.

The 1920s were a time in which America was moving forward at an unprecedented pace fueled by advancements around every corner. People were living it up by dancing the night away, catching movies that became available with sound, and buying on credit for the first time. It was during this decade that became known as the “Roaring Twenties” that Leon and LaRee (Hammond) Suprenant welcomed their son, Robert, into their hearts and home on July 28, 1926. Born in Kankakee, Illinois, Robert was one the oldest of 12 children in his family including brothers Raymond, Ronald, Kenneth, James, and Leon, and sisters Charlotte, Dorothy, Mary, Michelle, Kathy, and Andrea. His father opened his own sporting goods store in 1927 with $100 that Robert won as the cutest baby in the Kankakee County Fair and the Illinois State Fair. The money Robert won allowed his father to purchase the fishing tackle he needed to get his store up and running. In order to help make ends meet, his father also sold both Christmas trees and fireworks.

It was as a young boy that Bob, as he was most often called, developed the strong work ethic that would remain with him throughout the rest of his life. He started working when he was only five years old as it was his job to catch live bait for the store. Bob also travelled down the river many times to collect rocks for a wall that was built in the front of the store that is still there today. He could be ornery as a kid, but was also known for his hilarious pranks.

Life was never the same in America after we were viciously attacked on our naval base in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. It was clear that we could no longer remain neutral and President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared war the very next day. Bob was one of the young men who answered the call to serve as he joined the Navy in 1943 when he was just 17. He served aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-3) as a seaman first class-USNR. Bob traveled the world throughout his time in the service during WWII until he was discharged in 1946. In recognition of his service, Bob was awarded with the Point System Victory Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal (3 stars), and the American Campaign Medal.

The groundwork was being laid for great changes in Bob’s life when his sisters visited a local park one day. It was there that they met a young girl named Dorothy Jean Randles with whom the girls became fast friends. One day, the girls bribed their brother Robert with a fried egg sandwich if he would get out of bed and walk Dorothy home. He agreed and with that, the beginning of a love story was written. Not long after, the couple went on a date to a movie and like a proper young gentleman, Bob walked Dorothy up to her door at the conclusion of their date. He thought a kiss was in order and as he leaned in, Dorothy shoved him right off the front porch since she didn’t want him thinking she was that kind of girl! Over the years that followed, their relationship blossomed despite being apart while Bob was in the military.

After Bob was discharged, he bought his sweetheart a ring and proposed a short time later at Cobb Park. It was so irritating and embarrassing to Bob that he was old enough to fight for his country, but wasn’t old enough to obtain a marriage certificate so his mother had to sign for him. The couple was united in marriage on November 6, 1946, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Kankakee. The couple was later blessed with the births of six children: Linda, Barbara, Laura, Brenda, Larry, and David over a period of 18 years.

Bob worked hard to support his family through the years. He owned Bob’s Southside Sporting Goods, worked part-time for the city and county police departments, and retired from General Foods after 23 years of dedicated service.

Although work comprised much of Bob’s life, he realized there was much more to life than work. He did a lot of entertaining at home as their house was the party home much of the time. Bob’s passions, however, were camping and fishing, and he was always in charge of the cooking. Who could forget his famous holiday stuffing! His children remember how he would show them how to tear the bread for the stuffing the "proper way". Holiday's were huge in the Suprenant's home. No one could forget the special Halloween bags he prepared for the "trick or treaters" , the easter baskets he made for each of his children, or how meticulous he was with the christmas tree every year. He often made time for watching Westerns with his beloved pug, Daisy and nothing was better than a camping or fishing trip with his family to Wisconsin or Shelbyville.

Robert Suprenant was a hard working man that made the most of every day he was given whether in ways great or small. He worked hard to support the family he shared with his true love. We all can agree that when best describing Bob the word's loving, greatest, courageous, fun and especially devoted are all very appropriate. He will be dearly missed and warmly remembered.

Robert Suprenant died on July 9, 2010. Bob’s family includes his wife, Dorothy Jean; daughters, Linda Shelton (Nan Mileo) of Kankakee, Barbara (Tom) Janusauskas of Kankakee, Laura (David) Blaylock of Chebanse, Brenda (Ed) Brown of Herscher; sons Larry (Carrie) Suprenant of Villa Ridge MO and David (Connie) Suprenant of Kankakee IL; his K-9 companion Daisy; 15 grandchildren, Paul (Tracey) Shelton, Byron (Sandy) Suprenant, April (Mike) Kozubal, Thomas Shelton, Dustin Suprenant, Matthew (Jennie) Janusauskas, Samual (Angela) Janusauskas, Jason Blaylock, Misty (Jason) Lato, Adam (Amber) Blaylock, Daniel Blaylock, Noah Suprenant, Colleen (Peter) Dal Santo, Kyle and Jared Brown;16 great-grandchildren, Elaina, Aryan, Madelyn, Isaac, Nathan, Conner, Alexie, Jathniel, Jamie, Cheyenne, Antonio, Shane, Jacob, Hayden, Zane, and Sarah; four brothers and six sisters, Ronald (Georgia) Suprenant of Oroville, CA, Kenneth (Sharon) Suprenant of Magnolia, TX, James Suprenant of Bourbonnais, Leon (Maureen) Suprenant of Olathe, KS, Charlotte Bissonnette of Denver, CO, Dorothy O'Kelly of Capitola, CA, Mary (Orvan) Peters of Kankakee, Michelle Suprenant of San Roman, CA, Kathy Nicholas of Reno, NV, and Andrea (Brett) Reed of Corona Del Mar, CA. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Raymond, mother-in-law and father-in-law Rose and Arthur Randles, and brother-in-law Robert Randles. A Celebration of Life funeral service will take place Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at 10 a.m. Mr. Leon Suprenant Jr. will officiate. A gathering time for family and friends will be Tuesday, July 13, 2010 from 4-8 p.m. at the Kankakee Chapel of the Schreffler Funeral Homes. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or make a memorial contribution to the charity of the family’s choosing.