Bobby "Gene" Kennedy, 86, of Metamora, IL, passed away at 8:28 am on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at Unity Point Health-Methodist in Peoria, IL after a short battle with complications of metastatic melanoma.

He was born on September 8, 1935, in Cazenovia, IL, to Merrill and Ola (Rose) Kennedy. He married Marilyn L. Michael on August 8, 1953 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Metamora. She passed away on March 10, 2012.

Surviving are two daughters, Valeria "Val" (Tom) Kennedy Ewan of Old Hickory, TN and Victoria "Vicki" (Mike) Kennel of Metamora; three grandchildren, Alissa (Lee) Martin of Lebanon, TN, Maggie Ewan (Scott Kidney) of Arvada, CO, and Lindsay (Audrey) Kennel of Secor, IL; three great-grandchildren, Barrett, Brooks, and Cooper Martin of Lebanon, TN; and dear friend and neighbor, Rosemary Crawford. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Christopher Kennedy, granddaughter Nicole Rankin, great-granddaughter Emerson Martin, and sisters Verna Aten and Vivian Hahn.

At Gene's request, burial rites have been accorded in St. Mary's Cemetery in Metamora and there will be no services at this time. Instead, Gene asked that friends and family consider a donation to either St. Jude Midwest Affiliate, 530 NE Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, IL 61637 or to Emergency 116 Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 36, Metamora, IL 61548. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com.