Robert “Bob” Batten

STERLING – Robert L. “Bob” Batten, 50, of Sterling, died Saturday, July 3, 2010, at Hospice House, Oregon.

Bob was born Nov. 5, 1959, in Sterling, the son of Lawrence and Rose (Isenhart) Batten. He was a 1977 graduate of Tampico High School. He married Cheryl A. Klein on Feb. 13, 2000, in Las Vegas. He was employed by GTE Telephone Co. for 17 years, then by St. Mary Cement of Dixon for 12 years. Bob was a member of Boilermakers Union, Dixon.

He lived in Tampico his entire life until 2000, when he moved to Sterling.

He had a lifelong love of politics. He ran for mayor of Tampico in 1987, losing by only six votes. He served one term in the 1990s on the Whiteside County Board and served on the Tampico City Council in 1999 and 2000. He also had the privilege of attending the Illinois Democratic Convention.

Survivors include his wife, Cheryl of Sterling; his parents, Lawrence and Rose Batten of Tampico; three daughters, Brandy (Justin) Cucci of Waukegan, Deanne (Jay) Stienstra of Galena, and Candace (Jeremy) Douglas of Bryon; three sons, Brandon Batten of Annawan, Shawn Meana of Newton, Iowa, and Brett Meana of Peosta, Iowa; six grandchildren, Skye and Austin Douglas, Courtney Donar, Rachel Stienstra, Kayla Burns, and Alexis Meana; two brothers, Todd (Tracey) Batten of Tampico and Scott (Shari) Batten of Deer Grove; his mother-in-law, Edith Klein of Dubuque, Iowa; one niece, Kacey Batten; and three nephews, Hunter, Devan, and Ayden Batten.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; and his father-in-law, Emory “Jim” Klein.

Cremation rites have been accorded. Memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at McDonald Funeral Home, Rock Falls. Burial will be at Tampico Memorial Cemetery. A gathering of friends and family will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.

After the graveside service, it was Bob’s wish that there be a time to continue to celebrate his life at Nick’s Tap in Rock Falls. (Extracted from the saukvalley.com obits online)