Robert Wayne Hager Sr.
Robert Wayne Hager Sr., dedicated husband, father, loyal friend, and long-time resident of Plano, Illinois, passed peacefully from this life to his eternal home on Monday, November 29th, in his home surrounded by his family. We celebrate this mighty man who bravely fought the good fight and is no longer in pain.
Robert is preceded in death by his nephew Frankie Meeks, his parents Frank and Fanny Hager as well as his siblings Earl Lee Hager & Betty Mae (Hager) Rawls.
Rob/Robert/Bob/Senior, as he was known to many, was born April 17, 1948 in Portia, Arkansas to Frank and Fanny Hager. He grew up in and near Hoxie, Arkansas. While still a teenager, Rob moved north to find work. In August of 1968 he married his sweetheart, Tonia Delores (Rice) Hager of Walnut Ridge, AR and they moved to Aurora, IL. Within a few years they moved to their current home in Plano, IL. Their son Robert Wayne Hager Jr was born in 1969 and daughter, Sheri Tisha Hager in 1971. Rob was an amazing provider and protector for his family and friends. He worked 26 years for Aurora Industries and then supplemented his income as a fair, reliable, always hard-working handyman.
Rob welcomed a daughter-in-law, Christy (Elrod) Hager with open arms in 1991. A few years later, his family and heart grew with the addition of his 4 grand-daughters, Jessica Ann (Hager) James, Lauren Elise Hager, Cassie Rene’ Hager and Willow Grace Hager. Then God sent him a grandson-in-law, Matthew Lynn James, whom he embraced with joy. He cared deeply for his nieces and nephews and was also an “uncle”, father figure, and surrogate grandfather to many others.
He was a founding, faithful member of Jacob’s Well Church of Fox Valley where he selflessly served on the Children Ministry, Community Service, Property, and Set-Up/Take-Down teams for 14 years. He was known by all as an advocate for hard-working adults regardless of their socio-economic or ethnic background and helped connect many of them with good jobs. He donated countless hours of mechanic and handy-man service to many, especially widows, single-moms or children in need and was known to provide smoked “Boston-butt” pork for many gatherings or as a gift of celebration or condolence. He continued to work after retirement as a handy-man for numerous clients, many who came to see him as part of their extended family.
Rob is survived by his wife, son, daughter, daughter-in-law, 4 grand-daughters, grandson-in-law, his sister, Ann (Hager) Meeks, nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous friends who are like family.
A memorial celebration of life Worship Service will be hosted by Jacob’s Well Church at 3pm (Visitation begins at 2) on Saturday, December 4th which currently meets at the Parkview Christian Schools North Campus at 202 E Countryside Dr. in Yorkville, IL. In lieu of flowers the family requests any memorials be written to Jacob’s Well Church-Children’s Ministries, PO Box 54, Plano IL 60545.
Arrangements by Nelson Funeral Homes & Crematory, www.NelsonFuneralHomes.com or (630) 552-7211.
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