Rodney Bruce Tabor, 60, of Marissa, IL; born July 5, 1953 in Marion, KY; passed away on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Belleville, IL.
Mr. Tabor was a retired coal miner. Bruce was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish. He also loved spending time with his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents – Luther and Sally, nee Milliken, Tabor. Also preceded in death by two brothers.
He is survived by his loving wife Irene, nee Gerlach, Tabor whom he married on February 22, 1986 in Francis, KY. His children – Talesha (Chris) Brooks of Sparta, IL; Jennifer (Scott) Brown of Smithton, IL; Jarrett (Amanda) Tabor of Steeleville, IL; Logan Tabor of Marissa, IL. His grandchildren – Christopher Brooks; Connor Brooks; Cameron Brooks; Maggie Brown; Macie Brown; Bryson Tabor; Blayne Tabor. Three brothers – Dennis (Norma) Tabor of Ridgely, TN; Randy (Ashley) Tabor of Baker, LA; Robert Milliken of Marion, KY. Five sisters – Doris (Mike) Vance of Santa Barbara, CA; Joyce Hagelin of Marion, KY; Earlene Brown of Princeton, KY; Pat (Larry) Workman of Dry Ridge, KY; Lori (Richard) Young of Clay City, IL. Sister-in-law – Lucy Clayton. Special niece – Shawnee Stewart. Brother-in-law – Leroy Gerlach of Sparta, IL. Sister-in-law – Della (Marvin) Meyer of Percy, IL. Also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends. And faithful companions and special pets – Angus and Heidi.
Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.
Visitation: Friends may call from at the First Baptist Church in Marissa, IL on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm and on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 from 9:00 am to 11:00am.
Funeral: Services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Marissa, IL on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at 11:00am with Rev. Harkness officiating.
Memorial Services will be held at the Seven Springs Baptist Church in Marion, KY on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 12:00 noon.
Talisha, Chris and boys, we are so sorry for your loss. We know you will miss your Dad. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Bob and Janice Taylor – Sparta, IL – friends May 09, 2014
ReplyMy brother, my friend. Until we meet again. Thank you, Irene, for giving so much of yourself to make his life the best it could be.
Posted by: Larry & Tish – Dry Ridge, KY May 08, 2014
ReplyPrecious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints. – Psalms 116:15
Thank you Bruce for touching our lives in a special way. You will not be forgotten.
Posted by: Laura Hamilton – Friend May 06, 2014
ReplyIrene, Talesha, Jennifer, Jarrett, and Logan – Words cannot express my feelings of sorrow for the loss of Bruce. Whether it was at a ball game or just out and about, Bruce always wore that affectionate smile. It was a smile that was contagious and one that I never saw him without. No matter what kind of day you were having, your day was always made better by just coming in contact with Bruce.
Posted by: Troy Cowell – Jerseyville, IL – Friend May 06, 2014
ReplyOur thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones. I knew Bruce from the day he moved to Marissa, he was also friends with Mike and worked together at the Marissa mine. He was always one of the “good guys” and will be remembered always.
Posted by: Mike and Mary DeLong – Marissa, IL – friend May 05, 2014
ReplyBruce’s passionate hunger for life is now completed and fulfilled in the presence of his beloved Savior…John5:24/Ps116:15…praying for that peace that passes all understanding and healing of hearts. Loving you all!
Posted by: Cindy Haegelin Stark – Greeley, CO – Step niece May 05, 2014
ReplySorry for your lose but he has suffered so long. I know he will be missed your in my prayers
Posted by: Betty garner – Prospect, TN – Norma’s sister May 05, 2014
ReplyIrene & family, our hearts break for you but we all know that Bruce is not suffering anymore. I am so glad I got to talk with him some the last time we were all over there. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Patty & Kelvin Yount
Posted by: PATTY YOUNT – FREDERICKTOWN, MO – COUSIN May 05, 2014
ReplyI’m sorry to hear of Bruce’s passing. Sympathy to the wife, children, brothers, sisters, and all of the family.
Posted by: Thelma Jones – KY – cousin May 05, 2014
ReplyHeaven has you now my friend, you are finally at peace with God. We will all be together again one day my friend. We will always keep close to our hearts and in our prayers. God Bless you Bruce. Love always Vickie
Posted by: Vickie Ripley – Freeburg, IL May 05, 2014
ReplyGrief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Posted by: denise and brandi – nashville, IL May 05, 2014
ReplyDear Irene and family,
We send our love and deepest sympathy to you. Bruce had a hard time, but Irene you made it the best you could for him. No one could ask for more. Special Blessings to you. Love, Ken and Sherrik
Posted by: Sherri and Ken Wildt – FL May 05, 2014
ReplyPlease accept our deepest sympathy. My God’s love and peace give you strength in the day’s ahead.
Posted by: Bette Bradley – SPARTA, IL – friend May 05, 2014
ReplyEvery time I think of Bruce I think of that big smile that he always had on his face every single time I got to see him, the converse sneakers that he always loved to wear, UK basketball, his love of fishing, and how much he loved his family.
He is someone that I remember as always being a part of my life and although we were miles a part, I always loved him and always will.
Posted by: Jessie Collins – Marion, KY – Extended family May 05, 2014
ReplyThis site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Every time I think of Bruce I think of that big smile that he always had on his face every single time I got to see him, the converse sneakers that he always loved to wear, UK basketball, his love of fishing, and how much he loved his family.
He is someone that I remember as always being a part of my life and although we were miles a part, I always loved him and always will.
Posted by: Jessie Collins – Marion, KY – Extended family May 05, 2014
Please accept our deepest sympathy. My God’s love and peace give you strength in the day’s ahead.
Posted by: Bette Bradley – SPARTA, IL – friend May 05, 2014
Dear Irene and family,
We send our love and deepest sympathy to you. Bruce had a hard time, but Irene you made it the best you could for him. No one could ask for more. Special Blessings to you. Love, Ken and Sherrik
Posted by: Sherri and Ken Wildt – FL May 05, 2014
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Posted by: denise and brandi – nashville, IL May 05, 2014
Heaven has you now my friend, you are finally at peace with God. We will all be together again one day my friend. We will always keep close to our hearts and in our prayers. God Bless you Bruce. Love always Vickie
Posted by: Vickie Ripley – Freeburg, IL May 05, 2014
I’m sorry to hear of Bruce’s passing. Sympathy to the wife, children, brothers, sisters, and all of the family.
Posted by: Thelma Jones – KY – cousin May 05, 2014
Irene & family, our hearts break for you but we all know that Bruce is not suffering anymore. I am so glad I got to talk with him some the last time we were all over there. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Patty & Kelvin Yount
Posted by: PATTY YOUNT – FREDERICKTOWN, MO – COUSIN May 05, 2014
Sorry for your lose but he has suffered so long. I know he will be missed your in my prayers
Posted by: Betty garner – Prospect, TN – Norma’s sister May 05, 2014
Bruce’s passionate hunger for life is now completed and fulfilled in the presence of his beloved Savior…John5:24/Ps116:15…praying for that peace that passes all understanding and healing of hearts. Loving you all!
Posted by: Cindy Haegelin Stark – Greeley, CO – Step niece May 05, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones. I knew Bruce from the day he moved to Marissa, he was also friends with Mike and worked together at the Marissa mine. He was always one of the “good guys” and will be remembered always.
Posted by: Mike and Mary DeLong – Marissa, IL – friend May 05, 2014
Irene, Talesha, Jennifer, Jarrett, and Logan – Words cannot express my feelings of sorrow for the loss of Bruce. Whether it was at a ball game or just out and about, Bruce always wore that affectionate smile. It was a smile that was contagious and one that I never saw him without. No matter what kind of day you were having, your day was always made better by just coming in contact with Bruce.
Posted by: Troy Cowell – Jerseyville, IL – Friend May 06, 2014
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints. – Psalms 116:15
Thank you Bruce for touching our lives in a special way. You will not be forgotten.
Posted by: Laura Hamilton – Friend May 06, 2014
My brother, my friend. Until we meet again. Thank you, Irene, for giving so much of yourself to make his life the best it could be.
Posted by: Larry & Tish – Dry Ridge, KY May 08, 2014
Talisha, Chris and boys, we are so sorry for your loss. We know you will miss your Dad. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Bob and Janice Taylor – Sparta, IL – friends May 09, 2014