AVA - Robert Doyle Bivins of Ava, Illinois, formerly of Dupo, Illinois entered eternal rest on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at Carbondale Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, Carbondale, Illinois having attained the age of 74 years. Born in East St. Louis, Illinois on January 4, 1940, he was the son of Doyle and Nellie Bivins, nee Schwartz. He met the love of his life, Donna J. Danback and was united in marriage on November 19, 1977 in Dupo, Illinois. He and Donna spent most of their married life in Dupo, Illinois until they retired to Ava, Illinois in 2002. Bob was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed spending time with family around the piano singing old tunes and never passed up an opportunity to dance, especially the Jitterbug. Bob graduated from Dupo Community High School in 1958. After graduation he worked for McDonnell Douglas, Granite City Steel and spent 44 years working as an Engineer for Alton and Southern Railroad from which he retired. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Mary Louise and his brother, Dale Edward. Surviving are his loving and devoted wife of 37 years, Donna Jean Bivins, nee Danback; his four daughters, Lori Dee (Mark Blas) Anderson of Pembroke Pines, Florida, Leesa Ann (Thomas) Gannon of Stuart, Florida, Andrea Marie (Gary) Thomas of Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, and Erica Lynn (Jeff Rynearson) Crouch of St. Louis, Missouri; six grandchildren, Thomas Gannon, Christeen Gannon, Aron Davis, Kurt Davis, Jakob Thomas and Gabrielle Thomas, nephews, nieces, cousins and many friends. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, November 20, 2014 at 1:00pm at Christ United Church of Christ, 200 South Third Street, Dupo, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Bob's memory to Christ United Church of Christ, Dupo, Illinois.