Memorial services for Robert L. Jenkins, 83 of Lakeland, FL and formerly of Viola and Moline, will be Saturday, February 2nd at 2:00 PM at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo. Military Honors will be conducted after the services. Visitation is Friday from 4 to 8 PM at the funeral home. Private burial will be at the National Cemetery , Rock Island Arsenal. Memorials may be made in Robert’s name for the Good Shepherd Hospice of Florida or SPCA.

Robert died Saturday, January 19, 2013 at Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale, Florida with his "girls" by his side.

Robert was born on December 3, 1929 in Rock Island, Illinois to Cecil & Margaret Lafevre Jenkins. He graduated from Alleman High School and enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving from 1947 to 1956. Robert married E. Maribel Moreland on July 1, 1962 in rural Viola.

Robert retired as a distribution manager for Lucky Stores, Inc., Midwest Division, in 1988. After retirement he was State Director for AARP in Florida . He also was a published freelance writer. Robert loved animals, especially his canine companions. He was a member of the Moline VFW, The American Legion and the Lakeland Presbyterian Church.

Those left to cherish Robert’s memory include his wife of 50 years, Maribel; daughters and spouses: Loretta & Darrell Thirtyacre of Bloomington, IL and Rhonda & John King of Medina, Ohio; brother, sisters and spouses: Douglas & Lois Jenkins of Fenton, MO; Deanna & James Moore of Knoxville, IL; Arlene & William “Bud” Walthall of Seaton and Carol & Ronald George of The Villages, FL; Sisters-in-law: Joan Jenkins, Viola; Saku Jenkins, Belleville, IL and Dorothy Jenkins of Riverdale, IA; Brother in law: Bradley Waugh, Neponset, Il. Grandchildren: Kirk Thirtyacre and his special friend, Laura; Kelsie Thirtyacre; Benjamin King and fiancé, Valerie, and Abigail King and 3 great-grandchildren: Emoree, Abram and Eli Thirtyacre. Robert was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Edward, Richard and Raymond and a sister in infancy, Cecilia.