Obituary of Robert K. McEvilly
Robert K. McEvilly "Bob", age 91, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, December 4, 2021. As a faithful servant, he was prepared to meet his Lord. Bob was born November 14, 1930, in Joliet, Illinois. He was the son of the late Lawrence and Winifred (Breen) McEvilly. He was a kind, generous, loving and patient man who was proud of his family and his Irish heritage. Bob married Beverly Loose at St. Raymond’s Cathedral in 1951. The couple resided in Joliet and raised six children. Fond family memories include driving the 10 passenger station wagon to wonderful vacation destinations in Florida and Wisconsin and celebrating Christmas with an abundance of food and gifts carefully selected for each person. Bob was raised in the Minooka area and was a 1948 graduate of Minooka High School where he played basketball and baseball. He had a standout year in 1948 when the basketball team record was 23-4. Following graduation, Bob attended Joliet Junior College where he was a first-string guard on the 1949 state championship basketball team with Tom Williams, Jim Fagan, Bob Whyte, Rich Juricic, and Moose Broadrick. He pitched and played third base for the JJC baseball team and was the top hitter for the Will County Farm Bureau state championship team in 1949.
Bob signed a baseball contract with the St. Louis Browns minor league team. The Browns had been courting him for two years after he graduated from high school. The Boston Braves were also interested. He played three years in the minor leagues including Cubs and Cleveland Indians affiliate teams. Bob retired from Illinois Bell Telephone Company with over 30 years of service. He was a member of the Cathedral of St. Raymond’s parish for 70 years, the Irish American Club, and the Old Timer’s Baseball Association. He enjoyed coaching St. Joe's Little League baseball for 15 years. He never lost his love of baseball and followed the Cubs, displaying the "W" flag in his window as soon as the game ended. Their World Series win in 2016 was a very special event to him. He also enjoyed watching the Notre Dame Football and basketball games. Bob also found time to attend the sporting and school activities of his children and grandchildren. The time spent playing euchre with the McEvilly and Breen relatives in Manhattan and Minooka was always something he looked forward to doing.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife of 65 years, Beverly (nee Loose), in 2016; his brother, James (Anne Clennon) McEvilly; and sister, Charlene Obst.
He is survived by his loving and caring children: Linda Minkalis (Chet deceased), Robert (Karen deceased), Dan (Denise), Cindy Tomala (Andy), Tom (Karen), and Bill; many nieces and nephews; and his special Uncle Donald Breen. Bob was a very proud Grandpa to Scott and Todd (Amanda) McEvilly; Caitlyn (Greg Goetzke), Kyle McEvilly; Megan (Jake Barry), Matt, and Eric McEvilly; Melissa Minkalis; Andrew (Gabriela) Tomala, John, and Christina Tomala; Kirstin Hobbs McEvilly; and a great-granddaughter, Madison.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Bhavesh Ghandi for his kind and compassionate care.
Visitation for Robert K. McEvilly will be held Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Road (at Essington Road), Joliet from 3-8 p.m. Funeral services will be on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at 9:15 a.m. from the funeral home to the Cathedral of St. Raymond, 604 N. Raynor Ave., Joliet where a mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Romeoville. Memorials in his name to the Cathedral of St. Raymond’s Education Fund would be appreciated. For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or you may visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
