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Service:
Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 10 a.m. at the First
Christian Church, Clinton, IL
Funeral home:
Calvert Funeral Home - Clinton
Obituary
Kenneth Francis
“Fritz” Robinson, 74, passed away on May 22, 2026 at
his home. Born September 17, 1951 to Richard C. &
Helen M. (VonBosselmann) Robinson, he was nicknamed
“Fritz” by his Irish grandmother on that day. He
attended Hallsville grade school and graduated from
Clinton High School in 1969. He attended Eastern
Illinois University falling short of a degree
because of an illness of his father. Fritz married
J. Christine Schmid on April 8, 1978 at St.
Patrick’s Catholic Church in Wapella, she survives
as well as their two sons: Brandon(Becky) of
Clinton, IL and Brian(Kristen) of Kenney, IL. Fritz
was grandpa to two grandsons, Grant Robinson and
George Robinson. He was preceded in death by his
parents.
Funeral service will
be held 10:00 am Saturday, June 13, 2026 at First
Christian Church, Clinton, IL with Scott Marsh
officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Valley
Cemetery, Kenney, IL. No visitation is planned. In
lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Kenney
Fire Protection District or Kenney Fire Department.
Fritz loved his family
and they all worked closely together on the farm. As
a family they traveled, taking the dog too,
sometimes camping with friends. He was especially
proud of their sons, supporting their activities,
hobbies, education and careers. And then those two
grandsons came along, what a joy for him to have
them here on the farm and spending time with them.
As a lifetime farmer,
Fritz cared deeply about the land and the
relationships that it produced. Friends and
landowners became like family. He took pride in
being able to repair and maintain his own equipment
and vehicles, traits that are continued today on the
family farm.
Fritz served Kenney
and the surrounding communities in numerous ways
over his lifetime. Those include: Barnett and
Tunbridge Township Boards, Clinton FFA Alumni
Lifetime member, YMCA youth soccer and basketball
coach, DeWitt County Soil and Water Conservation
District Board, DeWitt County 9-1-1 Board.
Fritz was a member of
Kenney Fire and Rescue for 44 years. He embraced the
brotherhood and family that extends beyond District
Boundaries and County Lines. He would gladly share
stories and promote the fire service anytime and
anywhere. Helping others was a way of life for him.
He served many roles at Kenney including
firefighter, secretary/treasurer, and Chief, serving
on the DeWitt County Fire Chief’s Association. He
was a trustee for the Kenney Fire Protection
District Board up until his death.
After Fritz’s cancer
diagnosis, he stated it opened up a surprising new
form of blessings from God. The opportunity to
create conversations and build relationships with
others at treatments, hospital stays, and doctor
appointments. He was on a first name basis with most
of his interactions. He said that the Lord is
present and he would talk with anyone about his
journey.
His family would like
to thank the hospice team who helped Fritz die, but
even more so, thank those who helped him live and
live abundantly! The villages of Hallsville, Midland
City, Kenney and Clinton that raised him. Those
Hallsville and Clinton school mates who became
lifetime friends. Herman Huffman who mentored him,
teaching Fritz a lifelong skill of mechanics, the
dynamics and love of racing, sharing in the
preference of Ford vehicles. His cousins and family
who were special and close to him as a child,
throughout his life and still today. The Schmid
family and their relatives who accepted and welcomed
this “only child/spoiled brat” into their brood when
he married Chrissy. |
The landowners, our
friends and neighbors, who trusted him and our sons
with their land, one man for over 50 years and
another family almost 75 years. The Cromwell
siblings who were born and raised on Windy Ridge
Farm, that offered us this new place to raise our
boys after their parents had passed. The Lord has
truly blessed us here for over 30 years. Fritz’s LG
Seeds manager Malcolm Head of 30 some years, who
faithfully directed and delivered the right seed for
our farming operation, becoming a close and valued
friend as well as the other associates and
representatives of the LG company with whom we
traveled and vacationed, creating a whole new circle
of friends. The friends and neighbors who purchased
our wares such as seed, oil and grease, hay, sweet
corn, pumpkins and blackberries; supplementing our
income or generating funds for a charity. Those who
pulled into our fields when Fritz was failing and
the weather was trying. And others when the beans
were ready and the winter was coming too soon, thank
you to Jimmy, Tom, John & Conor, Stacy & Lindy,
Mike, Bill, Roy & Ron, Bob and forgive us if we
missed someone. The elevator managers wo stayed open
late to get that last load in to finish the field
and the elevator workers who diligently gave special
care to Chrissy while dumping trucks. Local
businesses that have sold us equipment, goods and
services that kept us able to accomplish our work
and lifestyle. Those who came to our rescue back in
2005 after the winds caused damage to our home and
took down trees-bringing heavy equipment, manpower
and food. To those who came to our aid when cancer
was diagnosed, bringing food, money and support. Our
neighbors and friends who took Fritz to cancer
treatments daily while Chrissy had hip surgery. And
those who looked after our home and cared for our
dog while Fritz was in Chicago for his cancer
surgery. Those who worshipped and fellowshipped with
us, ultimately helping us come to this time with
peace, knowing that, through Jesus Christ, death is
not the end. Thank you to so many that called,
brought food, messaged, sent cards, provided labor
and equipment, and genuinely guided us through this
process.
Thank you to so many
valued friends and neighbors who made Fritz and his
family’s life good, abundant and blessed every day! |
