Curtis Estep

Curtis Estep, 89, of Robinson, IL, died at 5:36 p.m. on Sunday, November 18, 2018 at Heritage Health in Robinson. He was born April 8, 1929 in Bunker, MO, the son of Robert Oliver Estep & Esther (Randolph) Estep, both of whom preceded him in death. He married Nellie (McCormick) on March 17, 1950, and she preceded him in death on June 7, 1996. He was also preceded in death by his second wife, Sarah (Walden nee Mann); and by his siblings, Thelma Springer, Melba Hoke, Berlin Brewster, Glen Estep, Rosemary Speedy, and Bobbi Sleeper. He is survived by his children & their spouses, Deborah Fuller (Palestine, IL), Karen & Rick Arnone (Robinson, IL), Lon & Halena Estep (Stoy, IL), and Diana & Frank Brown (Fortville, IN); by his grandchildren & their spouses, Kelley & John Sutfin, Travis & Sarah Arnone, Josh & Christie Estep, Michelle Estep, Levi & Missy Stephens, and Joey Brown; by great-grandchildren, Trae McPherson, Zane Belford, Dylan Sutfin, Asher Watson, Victoria Estep, Elijah Estep, Kaitlyn Stephens, Conor Stephens, Bryson Goodpaster, Peighton Arnone, and Mason Arnone; as well as several nieces and nephews. Curt grew up in Bunker, Missouri, where his family had farm ground and a sawmill. After losing everything in a fire, his family moved to the Hardinville area. He would go on to proudly serve his country twice in the U.S. Army as an MP from 1946-1948 in Austria and Germany and then again from 1950-1951 during the Korean War. Back home, he made first made a living working for Abel’s Welding, with whom he welded the first airplane hangar for the Robinson Airport. Most of his working years, however, were spent on the road. Curt drove trucks cross-country for RTI, Dan Sanford, Briggs Pottery, and Reinbold Elevator and put countless miles behind him over the course of his career. When he wasn’t driving, chances were, he was making music. Curt loved to play the guitar, and even played lead and steel guitar in a number of bands. At home, he’d pick on the banjo as well. While he considered Robinson home for the majority of the year, winters found him in Mission, Texas, where he played guitar for Steve Williams & “A Little Bit of Swing”. He was also an avid CB and HAM Radio operator, using the apt handle, “Guitar Man”. He was a longtime member of the Robinson American Legion Post #69 and was a former member of the Crawford County Moose Lodge. Curt Estep will long be remembered both for his love of all things music and for his easy-going nature. He lived a very full and useful life, and his memory lives on in the hearts of his beloved family. A time of visitation will be held from 12:00-2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 25th at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Funeral services will immediately follow and will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Celebrant Curt Goodwine officiating the service. Burial will be in the Hardinville Cemetery, where military services will be conducted by the combined units of the Robinson V.F.W. Post #4549, the Robinson American Legion Post #69, and the Flat Rock American Legion Post #132. Memorials may be made to the V.F.W. Transportation Fund, with envelopes available at the funeral home.