PEKIN — Robert W. “Bob” Clemens, 76, of Pekin, formerly of Indianapolis and Rochelle, passed away at 2 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 4, 2017 at his home after a nine year battle with cancer.
He was born July 23, 1941 in Indianapolis to Robert Parvin and Carrie Louise Meek Clemens. He married Susan Waddell on July 30, 1977 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin.
Surviving are his wife, Susan Clemens of Pekin; three children, Natalie L. Clemens of Chicago, William E.S. Clemens of Chicago, and Susan Michelle Clemens of Indianapolis; one grandchild, Austin Michael Bradford of Geneva; one brother, John Andrew Clemens of Indianapolis; mother and father in law, William and Louise Waddell of Tremont; a sister and brother in law, Crystal (Dr. Carl W.) Soderstrom of Morton; and one niece, Chelsi (C.J.) Carlin of Tremont.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a stepfather, Ed Hornbaker; grandmother, Gladys “Mawie” Meek; one brother in law, Randy Waddell; and one niece, Ashley Waddell.
He was a professional photographer for 40 years and owned and operated Clemens House of Photography in Rochelle for 15 years. In his retirement, he worked at Illinois Cancer Center in Peoria.
He served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
He was an active member of the St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Rochelle, Knights of Columbus, Rochelle Rotary Club, Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of the Professional Photographers Association. He was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin.
Bob enjoyed car racing, art, and storytelling.
A funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday Sept. 11 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin. Father Michael Andrejek with officiate. Visitation will be from 2 - 4 p.m. on Sunday at Davis-Oswald Funeral Home in Tremont. Cremation will be accorded after the services. Burial will be at Glendale Memorial Gardens at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the family.
To express condolences online, visit www.davisoswaldfh.com.