Robert Clayton
Alton | Save
Robert G. Clayton, 84, passed away Saturday morning, November 23, 2019 at Christian Hospital in St. Louis, MO with his family at his side. He was born April 16, 1935 in Alton, IL, the son of the late Robert W. and Violet L. (Phillips) Clayton.
At 15, from May 1950 to May 1951, he attended Sunnydale Advent Academy in Missouri. Throughout the summer of 1951, he worked at the Owens Illinois Machine Co. in Godfrey, IL. In September of 1951, Bob enrolled in Broadview Academy in Chicago, IL until May 1952 when he returned to Owens Illinois Machine Co. to work for the summer once again. At the end of that summer he returned to Broadview but only stayed for one week. He then returned home and began working at the Alton Brickyard. In November 1952 he went back to work at the Owens Illinois Machine Shop until his retirement in September 1996; he was 61 years, 4 months, and 15 days old at the time of his retirement. While working at Owens Illinois he finished a 4-year apprenticeship at age 21 and was a Journeyman Machinist for 40 years. In total, Bob worked at Owens Illinois Machine Shop for 44 years, 4 months & 19 days. During his time at Owens Illinois Machine Co. his jobs included: 1 year 1 month & 2 days cleaning machines & the floor, 4 years on an apprenticeship; 27 years 2 months & 12 days on a G&L machine; and 12 years 1 month & 5 days as an inspector.
On June 19, 1954 he married the love of his life, the former Alice Meisenheimer in Alton, she survives. Also surviving are two daughters and sons-in-law, Daylinda (Craig) Pace of Godfrey, Cindy (Dr. Edward) Oliver of Hot Springs AR, and a son, Robert Clayton Jr. Six grandsons: CSM Joseph Traylor, MSG Clayton (Faith) Traylor, Joshua Traylor, Robert G. Clayton III all of Illinois, Ryan Oliver of California, and Cody Oliver of Arkansas. There are 3 great grandchildren: Zachary, Logan, and Lillian Traylor. Sisters & brothers-in-law: Alvie Meisenheimer, Violet Sackett, Marilyn (Larry) King, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters and brothers-in-law, Phyllis (Frank) Roggio and Carolyn (Bob) Dawson, father and mother-in-law, Harold & Louise Meisenheimer, brothers & sisters-in-law, Harold (Bud) Meisenheimer, Glen Sackett Sr., and Laura (Ben) Bridgeman. A memorial visitation will be on Saturday, December 7, 2019 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. Burial will be private at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto at a later date. Memorials may be made to Freedom Honor Flight or Hayner Public Library the Genealogy Department. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com
Gent Funeral Home
