Robert LaGesse

Robert P. LaGesse, born March 10, 1921, to Alphonse LaGesse and the former Florence Papineau in Kankakee County, the oldest of 9 children. He was a member of 4-H, Rural Youth and joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. In 1941, he enlisted in the Army Air Signal Corps and served in the Central Pacific Theater and was honorably discharged in October of 1945. On May 23, 1945 he married the former Jeanette St. Pierre. He was a leader in the Limestone Cubs Scouts, Boy Scouts and Scout Commissioner. After retiring from Mortell’s in Kankakee, he and Jeanette moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was a “jack of all trades” in the building business, homes, plumbing, electrician, and furniture. In Hot Springs, he was a member of St. Mary of Springs catholic church.

His parents, wife, and sisters Ruby Jonesi and Mary Andrews preceded him in death. He is survived by a daughter Gloria, and son-in-law, Roger Bossert, full time RVr’s, sons, David, and daughter-in-law Gwen, of Stockton, CA. and Patrick and, daughter-in-law, Linda of Kankakee, IL. Also surviving are brothers, Vernon, and sister-in-law, Bonnie of Manteno, IL., James, and sister-in-law, Janice of Momence, IL., and sisters, Frances Erickson of Bradley, IL., Dorine Schafer of Bonfield, IL., Carol Smith of Clifton, IL., and Juanita Tincher of Kankakee, IL., 5 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren and 5 step-great-grandchildren.

A time of gathering will be held on Sunday, February 5, 2012 from 1pm-5pm at Schreffler Life Story Funeral Homes Bourbonnais Chapel.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, February 6, 2012 at 11am at Maternity BVM Catholic Church in Bourbonnais, IL. followed by an entombment at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Kankakee, IL.