Alan D. Blair

Alan D. Blair, 83, of rural Robinson, IL, passed away on September 8, 2024, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, IN. Born on September 26, 1940, to Wayne & Mamie Pearl (Eaton) Blair, Alan was the custodian of his family's storied Centennial Farm, a testament to the enduring spirit of American farming. He grew up working on the family farm, a tradition he upheld with pride and dedication. After graduating from Robinson High School in 1959, he continued to cultivate the land that had been in his family since 1817. The farm was a living museum of agricultural history that Alan maintained with the same meticulous care as his ancestors. His commitment to conservation and traditional farming methods was unwavering, even as his son Jeff introduced modern techniques - a change Alan...eventually...accepted (though he never quite conceded.)

The farm was home to a remarkable herd of 27 Belgian horses, a passion that began quite unexpectedly at an auction in Arthur. Alan rescued a malnourished mare destined for slaughter, an act that set him on a path to achieving his lifelong dream of holding the reins of an 8-head team. He also raised cattle and hogs, the latter of which provided him with one of his favorite delicacies, liver sandwiches, after every autumn slaughter.

In addition to his life as a farmer, Alan served as a school custodian for 35 years, humorously noting that he spent much of his life in the 8th grade. He began his custodial career at Jefferson School, then witnessed the opening of Nuttall Middle School in 1973, where he worked until his retirement in 2006. Alan's love of children was evident in his playful banter with the students, as he enjoyed giving them all a hard time! He also built quite a rapport with the Amish community as a trusted chauffeur and cherished the relationships born out of these years.

Known for never meeting a stranger, he could strike up a conversation with anyone and often did, spending hours engaging with people and sharing his wisdom. A history buff, he visited local schools to share stories about his family farm, the Underground Railroad, and Abraham Lincoln's migration through Illinois. His deep knowledge of ancestry led him and his daughter, Kim, to explore local cemeteries, tracing the roots of their family tree.

Alan's sense of humor was as unique as his left-handedness, often joking that as a "South Paw," everyone else was simply not in their right mind! Woodworking, collecting antique toy tractors, and fostering children were among his passions, each reflecting his love for craftsmanship, history, and the coming generations.

Generosity was second nature to Alan; he was always ready to lend a helping hand. His devotion to his church, New Beginnings Church in Newton, was evident in his active participation, from helping build an addition to serving as an elder and assisting with meals for the youth group. Although health issues eventually limited his involvement, his spirit of service remained unshaken. Alan Blair was, after all, a man of character. He held himself and those around him to the same high standard, and the result was excellence and a good and meaningful life. Because of his abiding trust in Jesus, we can be assured that the life we lovingly remember isn't gone, just gone from our sight and into the presence of the One whose goodness Alan reflected time and again throughout his 83 years with us.

Left behind as his living legacy are his children & their spouses, Jeff & Tina Blair, Lori Pethtel, Julie & Mike Snearley, and Kimberly & Arturo Duran, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne & Mamie Blair, and by his great-granddaughter, Ellen "Ellie" Schick.

A time of visitation will be held from 12:00-2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 13th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. It was Alan's request that friends and family come to the funeral home dressed casually (and if you own a pair of bib overalls, all the better!) Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, with Pastor Tom Matson officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the "Oblong Children's Christian Home", and memorial envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Burial will be in the Eaton (Grand Prairie) Cemetery.