Robert S Jordan

June 24, 1920 – October 5, 2017

Robert S. Jordan, 97, of rural Ottawa, died on Thursday, October 5, 2017 at his home.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on October 13, 2017 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa with Rev. John Crist officiating. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Ottawa Avenue Cemetery.

Robert was born on June 24, 1920 in Milwaukee, Wis. to John Manley and Ethel (Sayle) Jordan. Robert and his brother John Jordan Jr., operated Jordan Hardware in Ottawa. They were the fourth generation to operate the family business that opened in 1840 and operated by the Jordan family until Robert’s retirement in 1983. Robert was a graduate of Ottawa Township High School class of 1938 and Oberlin College in Ohio where he earned a degree in geology. He was a veteran of the Army Air Corps, and served in the Pacific Theatre of Operation during WWII. Robert served as a weather officer and security officer with the Army Airways Communications for four years in Iwo Jima, Pelalu and Oahu. Robert was also a member of and long time officer of the LaSalle County Genealogy Guild.

He was an avid traveler, a process he started at the age of 16 when he visited the Rocky Mountains with four other boys. He participated in sports during a good part of his life and especially enjoyed tennis and bowling. He was a member of the Ottawa Bowling Hall of Fame. Robert was a fan of the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls. He was a bridge player and artist that enjoyed painting, abstract art, photographs and rya rug design. In 2014 Robert was inducted into the Ottawa Township High School Hall of Fame. His greatest legacy was the great number of friends with whom he kept in touch. He had many lifelong friends from England, Wales, Germany, Japan, Ottawa, Oberlin College, and the United States Army. His greatest friendships were with the cats he kept and was acquainted with in his life.

He is survived by a niece Julie (Edward) Lane, of Richmond, VA, and 3 nephews, Richard (Penny) Budde, of Novato, CA, James (Judy) Budde, of Roselle, IL, William (Cheryl) Budde, of Bloomington and several great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Barbara Budde, and one brother, John M. “Bo’ Jordan, Jr.

Memorials may be directed to the LaSalle County Genealogy Guild, and the Pet Project.

Published online by Mueller Funeral Homes & Crematory