Robert “Bob” Lee Thouvenot, 86, of Collinsville, IL, a current resident of Mother of Good Counsel Home in St. Louis, MO, born February 2, 1935, in Belleville, IL, passed away on August 9, 2021, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond Heights, MO.
Bob was a graduate of St. Theresa’s Catholic Grade School, Class of 1949, and Cathedral All Catholic High School, Class of 1953. He played Cathedral baseball and was in the band and orchestra. He was a member of the Belleville Musician’s Union #29 at age 16, playing the saxophone and clarinet with numerous dance bands. He formed his own dance band and named it “The Bob Donahill Orchestra.” He felt honored to play at the 1960 Miss Illinois Pageant. He married Mary Lou Sweeney on February 19, 1955, at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Collinsville.
While attending Washington University School of Engineering, his father-in-law died suddenly. He attended Carpet & Floor Covering School in New York, NY after which he was the floor covering installer for his mother-in-law, owner, and operator of Sweeney Floor Covering, in Collinsville. When she retired, he opened his own flooring contracting business, Specialty Carpet Service, in Collinsville. He has been a union carpenter member of Local 295/664 over 60 years.
Bob was a member of the Belleville Knights of Columbus, Msgr. Leonard A. Bauer Council #1028, Belleville Moose Council #1221, and SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Collinsville.
He was an avid fisherman and St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. He missed very few Collinsville Kahok basketball games. He took pride in keeping a well-groomed yard and garden. He enjoyed family camping and gatherings. A favorite time for Bob was meeting once a month for breakfast with his Cathedral High School buddies. He enjoyed membership in PSOP Men’s Club and their activities.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Isadore and Aurelia (nee Reuthermann) Thouvenot; his 9-year-old sister, Marjorie Thouvenot; two brothers and their spouses, Melvern and Delores Thouvenot and Delmar and Catherine Thouvenot; a daughter and her husband, Linda and Gary Harvell; a son-in-law, David Lipsey.
He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Mary Lou; son, Robert (Peggy) Thouvenot of Bridgeton, MO; three daughters, Mary Lipsey of Collinsville, IL, Debra (Robert) Muesenfechter of St. Charles, MO and Cheryl (Jeffrey) Barnett of Ballwin, MO; 9 grandchildren: Angela and Samantha Harvell, Mary (Mark) Gan, Mary (Anton III) Flieg, Alexander (Jamie) Muesenfechter, Nathaniel Muesenfechter, Gabrielle (Phillip) Kellermann, Aubrie and Corbin Barnett; 12 great-grandchildren: Melisa, Marijo, Anton IV, Tessa, Samuel, Noah, Annie, Augusta, Hastings, William, Mark and Molly; many nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.
Visitation will be 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Monday, August 16, 2021, at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 207 Vandalia, Collinsville, IL.
Funeral mass will be at 12 noon following the visitation with Father John Beveridge celebrant. Private burial will be in SS Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery, Collinsville.
Memorials may be made in Bob’s honor to Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Missouri Chapter for research or Mother of Good Counsel Home. Memorials will be received during the visitation or can be mailed to the funeral home at 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062. Please make your check payable to the organization of your choice.
