AMBOY - Robert E. Olson, 82, of Amboy peacefully passed away surrounded by his family on Jan. 14, 2020 at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16 at the Mihm-Jones Funeral Home in Amboy. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Jan. 17 with a 9:45 a.m. prayer service at Mihm-Jones Funeral Home in Amboy, followed by a 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary Catholic Church in Walton with the Rev. Richard Kramer officiating. Burial will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery in Maytown.

Bob was born Dec. 17, 1937 in Amboy to Louise Cardot. He was raised by his loving mother and stepfather, Fred Olson, who later adopted Bob. He married Mary Lou Friel on Jan. 10, 1959 in Maytown.

Survivors include his wife; three children, Joyce (Rick) Schamberger of Amboy, Jan (Don Phelps) Bonnell of Amboy and Bob (Wendy) Olson of Harmon; 10 grandchildren, Nathan (Katie) Schamberger, John (Meghan) Schamberger, Catherine (Greg) Knecht, Jason Bonnell, James (Rebecca) Bonnell, Jake (Stephanie) Bonnell, Ashley (Nick) Brokaw, Courtney (Tyler) Kennedy, Kristen (Chris) Ely and Cole (Olivia Pilgrim) Olson; 14 great-grandchildren; one his sister-in-law, Dolly (Kenneth) Cardot; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Lori Lynn Olson; one son-in-law, Jeff Bonnell; a great-grandson, Baby Bonnell; his parents, Fred Olson and Louise (Cardot) Olson; four brothers, Henry Cardot, Jr., Gilbert Cardot, Kenneth Cardot and Forrest Cardot; and one sister, Mary Rippentrop.

Bob was a life-long farmer and he also owned and operated the Long Branch Saloon in Amboy with his wife, son and daughter-in-law. He is admired and remembered by his friends and family for his work ethic, kindness, and sense of humor. In addition to his family, Bob leaves many lifelong friends and business acquaintances behind.

A memorial has been established to the Amboy Fire Department in honor of Bob’s memory. Condolences may be sent online at www.thejonesfh.com.