Ernest Robert "Bob" Rehn

Ernest Robert “Bob” Rehn, 79, went to be with Jesus on December 15, 2021 at St Anthony’s hospital, Rockford, with his family by his side.

Christian funeral services will be held at 10 am on Saturday, December 18 at Emmaus Lutheran Church, McNabb. Burial will be at Friends Cemetery, McNabb.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm on Friday, December 17 at Dysart-Cofoid Funeral Chapel, Granville.

Bob was born April 15, 1942 in Streator, IL to Ernie and Alice (Sheley) Rehn. He married Ona Komater on January 11, 1964 in Oglesby.

He lived and farmed his whole life in the McNabb/Magnolia area where he raised hogs, corn, soybeans, and wheat. He also had an extensive garden of which he donated the extra produce to the food pantry. He graduated from John Swaney High School. He was a lifetime member of the Farm Bureau.

Bob was passionate about any sport he was involved in through the years including baseball, fast-pitch softball, basketball and he was an avid long-distance runner. He logged more than 30 marathons in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan. His last marathon was September 11, 2021 in Elroy, WI. He organized many races in the community with the Starved Rock Runners, of which he was president for several years. His pet project was the annual “Fat Ass 50”, a 50 km run through the countryside in mid-January, “No fees, no awards, no wimps”. Bob was also adamant about spreading his love of running. He founded the Kids Running Clinic held at Baker Lake in Peru each summer for ten years.

Bob is survived by his wife, Ona, and two children, Jeff (Wendy) Rehn and Chris (Dave) Sabotta. His grandchildren include Brandon, Megan, Jon (US Army Ranger), Daniel, and Annie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Doris, and in-laws, John and Helen Komater.

Pallbearers will be Brandon Rehn, Jon Sabotta, Daniel Sabotta, Jay Komater, Phil Hopkins, and Dick Fay.

Contributions can be made to Putnam County EMS or St Jude.

Online condolences may be sent to his family at www.dcfunerals.com

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