Robert Lynch

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Robert "Mick" Lynch, 83, of Tamaroa, passed away at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010 at his home surrounded by his family.

Robert was born the son of Mary (Nickens) and Orval Lynch at Tamaroa. He was given the nick name Mick by his dad and was known mostly by this nick name.

He married Beryl V. Corgan on July 8, 1949 in Tamaroa, Ill. and she survives.

He is survived by his wife of Tamaroa, five children - Michael G. Lynch and wife Gena of Tamaroa, Sandra S. Phillips and husband Jim of Pinckneyville, Orval W. Lynch and wife Jane of Tamaroa, Timothy G. Lynch and wife Darla of Dowell and Amy J. Nehrkorn and husband Jay of Tamaroa, 14 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one daughter - Debra K. Kania of Gardner, Kansas.

He worked tirelessly alongside his parents in maintaining the Antioch Cemetery, and was a crucial part of establishing the Antioch Cemetery Association and served on the grounds committee.

Mick retired from the United States Postal Service after 30 years of service. He was a member of the Carpenters of America Local 510 Union. He worked 18 years at the Du Quoin Blue Bell Packing Company, where he served on the grievance committee for local 156.

He was drafted January 10, 1946 as part of the last group from Perry County. He served in the Panama Canal Zone and received the World War II victory medal. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School and served as trustee and treasurer. He was a past member of the Tamaroa American Legion Post 1277, a member of Tamaroa Masonic Lodge 207 and the Perry County Farm Bureau. He served on the Tamaroa High School Board for several years. He was active in the formation of Rend Lake Junior College. He served as a Boy Scout Leader and a Perry County 4-H leader of the Tamaroa Branch.

Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010 at the Searby Funeral Home in Tamaroa with Rev. Greg Alvis officiating.

Friends called from 5 to 8 p.m., Tuesday at the Searby Funeral Home in Tamaroa.

Burial was in the Antioch Cemetery at Tamaroa.

Military graveside rites were conducted by the Du Quoin VFW and American Legion.

Friends may make memorials to the Antioch Cemetery and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.