Robert Jackson Little

OTTAWA – Robert Jackson Little, age 91, walked into the arms of his Lord and Savior on August 7, 2019. He was surrounded by his loving family in his home at the time of passing.

Visitation will be at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home in Ottawa from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Sunday August 25th with Masonic rights accorded by the Ottawa Masonic Lodge at 6:30 PM.  Funeral services will be held Monday August 26th at 11:00 AM at the First Christian Church in Morris, IL with Pastor Charles Richardson officiating.  The burial will be private.

Robert was born May 4, 1928 in Canton, IL, the son of Ray and Marceline (Shields) Little.  Robert is survived by his wife Marcia of 65 years, daughters Jody L. Riebe of East Troy WI and Lisa (Frank) Gray of Newburgh, IN; a son Mark (Rona) Little of Mt. Prospect, IL; sister-in-law, Harriet S. Little of South Carolina; grandchildren Claire A. Riebe, Ian R. Riebe, Collin R. Gray, Michael D. Gray, and Angela (Gray) Martin, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his brothers, Donald R. and Paul K. Little and a sister-in-law, Gladys (Burnett) Little.

Education included Canton High School, Carthage College in Carthage, IL and Tri State University in Angola Indiana.

Robert was an active member of the First Baptist Church, Marseilles, IL and the First Christian Church, Morris, IL.  He proudly served his country in the US Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean War.  He worked as a Research Engineer at the IL DOT Bureau of Materials and Physical Research for over 36 years with a primary focus on pavement development for the AASHO Test Road project. For 15 years he was also a consulting engineer for Renwick and Associates.  Bob was a member of the Masonic Lodge as well as the Illinois Association of Highway Engineers.  In his spare time he enjoyed furniture restoration, hunting, baking and gardening.  More than anything else, he loved his family and cherished the time they had together.

Memorial contributions may be made to Feed My Starving Children of Schaumburg, IL (740 Wiley Farm Ct., Schaumburg, IL or FMSC.org).

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