Robert J. Fohne, 86, of Collinsville, Ill., born May 27, 1926, in Lebanon, Ill., died at 7:20 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Belleville, Ill.

Robert was a World War II Navy veteran where he became a crane operator. He later became a pipe fitter foreman at Granite City Steel and retired in 1982. He enjoyed his friends and family, going to Home Depot, watching news and weather, and gardening. One of his favorite accomplishments was rebuilding a John Deere Tractor. He was a member of Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church and the VFW Post 5691 in Collinsville.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Stella, nee Bronow, Fohne, whom he married on April 29, 1950; his parents, John Robert and Mary, nee Muck, Fohne; brothers, Clarence Fohne and Merrill Fohne; and his sister, Virginia Hettenhausen.

Surviving are his children, John Fohne of Collinsville, Ill., Anne (Gene) Keeley of Smithton, Ill., Wayne Fohne of San Diego, Calif., Gene Fohne of Collinsville, Ill., Dave (Robin) Fohne of Collinsville, Ill., and Mary Fohne of Collinsville, Ill.; three sisters, Elizabeth Christ of O'Fallon, Ill., Mary Ann Seipp of O'Fallon, Ill., and Doris Benhoff of Belleville, Ill.; a brother-in-law, Jesse Bronow of Collinsville, Ill.; grandchildren, Bridget Keeley, Katie Keeley, Tiana Fohne, Jareb Fohne, and Dachel Fohne; step-grandchildren, Cortney Hurst and Ammie Pratt; a step-great-grandchild, Naomi Hurst; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or Masses to Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.herrfuneral.com

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, at Herr Funeral Home, Collinsville, Ill.

Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Collinsville, Ill., with Father John Beveridge officiating. Burial will be at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery, Collinsville, Ill.