I want to share with you about my dad.
Throughout my life, I remember him as always being a loving, kind, patient protector. He was a man of few words, but his advice always came with wisdom. He cared and felt love deeply, with such heart he often couldn’t express it out loud. Just know, if you were family, he loved you. If he called you a friend, he cared.
He loved God and his country. He taught me that if you make every decision with the Bible, the Constitution, and common sense, you won’t go wrong. Dad was an avid sportsman.
Music brought him joy. He played guitar and sang. He played in bands, in churches, and at home from the time he was a teenager. He shared his talent and taught many others, including me, to play. His music lives on in us.
My dad was born in his grandparents’ house in Mt. Erie, Illinois, on May 31, 1954, to Harold “Bob” Eblin and Anna “Ann” (Morgan) Eblin. They had two more children: his younger sister, Bobbie A. (Eblin) Worley, and his younger brother, Terry L. Eblin. Dad grew up in Mt. Erie and Cisne, Illinois. He had several cousins close in age with whom he always shared a special bond. Dad met my mom, Gayle R. (Martin) Eblin, the love of his life, in 1971, when they were just kids. They went on to marry and build their life together. I would be their only child, Christina E. (Eblin) Lipe, born in 1984. They have one grandson, my son, Brian M. Williams, Jr., born in 2003.
After working there for several decades, Dad retired from Amerigas in Salem, Illinois.
Randy Eblin, 67, of Mt. Vernon, IL, departed for heaven at 1 pm on April 30, 2022, in his home, with his wife by his side, after a brave battle with cancer.
Randy was preceded in death by his father, Bob Eblin; grandparents, Noble and Vida (Phelps) Eblin; and Floyd and Ethel (McDade) Morgan; as well as several uncles, aunts, and cousins. He is survived by his wife, Gayle Eblin; his daughter, Christina (K.) Lipe; his grandson, Brian Williams; his mother, Ann Eblin; his mother-in-law, Carol Martin; his siblings, Bobbie (Bruce) Worley, and Terry Eblin; as well as brothers and sisters-in-law, uncles, aunts, cousins, other family, and friends.
The family would like to extend their appreciation and thanks to Brother and Sister in-law, Gary and Janis Steury, as they were, and continue to be, endlessly supportive throughout Randy’s illness. The family would also like to thank SSM Hospice Care for their assistance and care in this difficult time.
According to his wishes, a closed, private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, funeral expense donations can be made through Hughey Funeral Home. Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.
