Don P. Robeson Obituary
January 18, 1943-November 18, 2012

The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time. Mark Twain
Don was born on January 18, 1943 in rural Scotland County, MO. He was the youngest of 8 children born to Harold D. and Mabel Alice (Primm) Robeson. Don was raised on the farm where he was born. He worked hard and played even harder with his brother Harry and his second mother, Elsie. Life was good for a kid growing up on the farm. He always said that he was allowed many freedoms and experiences that most children were never allowed to have. Don and Harry would create mayhem and sister Elsie would have to save them both. He attended the one-room schoolhouse in Pleasant Hill through the 8th grade. He rode his horse to and from school. He graduated from Memphis, Missouri High School in 1961.

Following graduation, Don worked as a psychiatric aide at the Mental Health Institute in Mt. Pleasant, IA. It was while working there that he met Mary Ann Faler and they were married on May 18, 1963. Following their marriage they moved to Quincy, and Don started working at the Illinois Soldier’s and Sailors Home. During this time, he also attended Culver Stockton College, graduating in 1967. At that time, he transferred over to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Don took an educational leave in 1969, and received his Master’s Degree in social work from the University of Iowa in 1971. Upon returning from graduate school he was promoted to Administrator at DCFS, where he worked until 1978. He then formed an agency along with Tom Turner, called Robeson/Turner and Associates.
In 1984, Don went to work for the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. He served as Assistant Administrator and retired from the State of Illinois after 34 years of service.
Don was an avid horse lover and a quarter horse judge for many years. He loved all animals and rescued as many as he could.
Don is survived by Mary, his wife of 49 years; a daughter Carin Eling of Wausaw, WI; son, Mark D. Robeson and his wife Laurie of Quincy. Grandchildren, Daniel Eling of Seattle, WA; Zachary Eling of Minneapolis, MN; Samantha and Blake Robeson both of Quincy. A sister, also known as his second mother, Elsie Wybrant of Kirksville, MO; sisters-in-law, Margaret Robeson of Memphis, MO; Ellen Robeson of Queen City, MO; and Frances Robeson of Haistings, MN and many wonderful nieces and nephews survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Carl, Edward and Harry Robeson, his brother-in-law, Rolla “Bud” Wybrant; a sister, Virginia Cary and his beloved pet dog, Beau also preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 23, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home by Rev. George Tomko. Interment will be in Greenmount Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 12 Noon until 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Adams County Animal Shelter from where Don rescued his dogs, Ranger and Juniper.