Thomas E, Robbins, age 79, of Bourbonnais, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Saturday, February 17, 2024.

Survived by his wife of 59 years, Sandra; daughters, Karen (Ken) Mitchell, Nancy Kellner, and Kelly (Ken Stantial) Robbins; grandchildren, Haley Robbins, Lauren (fiancée Alyssa Pickle) Robbins, Madilynn Mitchell, Scarlet Kellner, Allyson Mitchell, and Thomas Kellner; siblings Don (Carol) Robbins, Jim (Pam) Robbins, Mary (Steve) Meyer, and sister-in-law Jean Robbins. Numerous nieces, nephews, and friends also survive.

Preceded in death by his parents, John "Les" and Rita Robbins; brothers, Bob and Allen Robbins, and son-in-law, Michael Kellner.

Tom was born August 1, 1944, to John Lester "Les" and Rita (Martell) Robbins of Manhattan, Illinois. As a young man, Tom was a member of the 4-H club Willing Wilton Workers showing livestock at the county fair. He played baseball from grade school through his adulthood. In high school, he played on the baseball, basketball and track teams as well as being a member of FFA. Tom graduated from Peotone High School in 1962. Tom married his high school sweetheart, Sandra Benoit on August 1, 1964. Tom started farming as a young man alongside his father Les, and eventually, his brothers Allen and Jim joined The Robbins Farms team. Tom farmed from 1964 until 1991. In 1991, he retired from farming and started working for Shoup Manufacturing, a farm equipment replacement parts company as a salesman and attending trade shows. He thoroughly enjoyed his work at Shoup and enjoyed the camaraderie he shared with his coworkers. He knew his farm stuff and to this day still has contacts he made at trade shows reach out to him just to say hello. He retired from Shoup Manufacturing in 2019. When time allowed, Tom still loved helping his brother Jim and nephew Mike Robbins in the Fall with harvesting.

Tom cherished family gatherings and loved being with his family above all else. He loved taking care of his yard, tinkering in his garage, climbing trees, his 4 mile walks every day, washing his truck and watching his grandchildren play in various sports. When his daughters or grandkids needed any help, he was their jack-of-all-trades, as he could fix anything. Tom was the #1 fan of the University of Illinois Football and Basketball programs.

Visitation for Thomas will be held at Forsythe Gould Funeral Home on Sunday, March 3, 2024, from 2-5:00p.m. Memorial service will follow at 5:00 pm., also at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family strongly suggests an act of kindness in Tom's name, which would be most appreciated.

Arrangements entrusted to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St., Manhattan, Il 60442, 815-478-3321, www.forsythegouldfh.com.