Robert Patrick Delre, Sr., was born on March 7, 1937 at Newstead, New York, to Julia (Martin) and Bambino Delre.  He joined two brothers, Dominic and Harry.  The family was joined later by brother, Tom.
     Robert grew up in Akron, New York, and attended school there.  He was an accomplished artist and musician.  He also had a love for riding and racing motorcycles.  He graduated from high school in 1955, and married his high school sweetheart, Lorraine Brenner.  Robert soon enlisted in the United States Navy and was gone for a period of time, which lead to a divorce from Lorraine.
     While still in the Navy and stationed near Chicago, IL, Robert met Mary Ann (Stout) Guthrie.  Mary Ann was already the mother of four little girls:  Tracy Lynn, Therese Ann, Toni Elizabeth, and Tina Marie.  Robert instantly fell in love with Mary Ann and her four little girls, and the two were married July 25, 1959.  In November of the same year, the new family welcomed Robert Patrick Delre, Jr.  Two years and four months later, Robin Patricia joined the family.  Nearly two years after that, David John joined the already large brood.
     A couple of years later, Robert took his family to southern Illinois to live in Chester.  At that time, Robert became a well known business man.  As his family grew older, he became more involved in their school activities.  But, his family was not done growing.  In 1971, the Delre family welcomed its last member, Christopher Stuart.
     Shortly after Chris was born, and the two older girls were married, Robert moved his family to Sparta, Illinois.  As he watched his family grow older, Robert's thirst for knowledge grew.  He decided to attend the local community college and earned an Associates Degree in Political Science, Administration of Justice.  He worked as a police officer, first at Mascoutah, IL, then at Red Bud, IL.  It was 1980 then and he moved his shrunken family to Red Bud, Illinois.  At that time, David and Chris were the only children still at home.
     In the middle 80's,  Robert and Mary Ann divorced, and Robert moved back to Sparta.  From that time on, he moved around quite a bit, living in Tilden and Marissa for a short time, but eventually moved back to Sparta to stay.
     Robert had many hobbies and interests throughout his life.  His first and main interest was in music.  He loved all varieties of music, classical being his favorite.  He passed on this love of music to his children, and grand children.  Robert was an accomplished trumpet and French horn player.  Not only did he play during his school years, but also instructed during those years.  He also played in the United States Navy Marching Band.  His love of music and playing ability took him to play in a Jazz band also.
     His next favorite hobby was fishing.  Throughout his childrearing years, and during his later years, you could always count on Robert using his free time fishing at his favorite waterhole.
     In his later years, Robert's health had declined, and his dependence on others grew.  While his mind was clear up to the end, his body would not allow him to do the things he loved.  Some members of his family, while busy with their own lives and that of their children's, were able to assist him and visited him often.  The friends that Robert had made over the years were able to assist him on a daily basis, as they lived closer and saw him more often.  Robert grew to depend on them, and loved them dearly.

     To Robert's brothers, he thought of you often and missed you very much.
     To Robert's children, he loved all of you very much.
     To Robert's grand children, he wished he could have gotten to know all you better.
     To Robert's great grand children, he wished he would have met you.
     To those that knew Robert and knew that his life had touched yours, know that he did love and appreciate all of you.

God Bless.