Rudolph Valentino Grebner

Rudolph Valentino Grebner, 90, Washburn, passed away on Saturday, March 18, 2017, at Snyder Village, Metamora. Born November 17, 1926, in Worth Township, Woodford County, the son of Rudolph and Anna Fandel Grebner, he married Bonita (Bonnie) Laible April 24, 1952. They would have celebrated 65 years of marriage next month. In addition to his devoted wife, he is survived by four sons - Gary (Diane) of Metamora; Stanley (Jan) and Grant (Susan) of Washburn; and Steven (Sandra) of Yorkville; and grandchildren - Meghan (Brian) Conant of Noblesville, Indiana; Kristina (Stephen) Rauh of Metamora; and Derek, Collin, and Sophia Grebner, all of Washburn, and Mason Harris. He is also survived by a sister Georgianna Kiefner of Metamora, two sisters-in-law, Clara Grebner of Washburn and Barb Grebner of Tiskilwa; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, seven brothers -- Wilbert "Hank," Florentius "Hots," Lowell, Theodore, Reinhart "Doots", Francis "Mike," and Ernest "Ernie;" and three sisters -- Bernadine, Virginia and Gloria. Rudy was a lifetime member of the Washburn American Legion Post #661 and a member of St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church in Washburn. A lifelong farmer, Rudy prided himself in caring for the land and God's creatures and was devoted to his faith, family and farm. An avid bowler and fisherman, he served in the U.S. Army 1st Cavalry building bridges and roads in the Korean War. He found great joy in living off the land with memorable moments of family butchering and cooking, especially hog roasts, pork chops, and pork barbecue with his own secret sauce. A summer highlight was the Woodford County Fair where he volunteered as a cook in the 4-H Foodstand for nearly 40 years. Rudy persevered after a stroke later in life and continued his independence helping on the farm, mowing barnyards and ditches, and enjoying morning coffee with friends at Casey's and Dean's Auto Body in Washburn as well as latch hook and jigsaw puzzles. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church in Washburn with Father Gregory Jozefiak officiating. Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 4:30 pm on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at St. Elizabeth's Church in Washburn with visitation following from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the church. Burial will be in Buckingham Cemetery, rural Washburn with military honors accorded by his Legion Post 661. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Washburn Ambulance Service or the Cure Alzheimer's Fund, 34 Washington Street, Suite 200, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com.