Robert C. Landis, age 94, of Venice, FL, formerly of Kaneville, IL, passed away peacefully Friday, January 20, 2006, at the Venice Regional Medical Center, Venice, Florida. He was born December 5, 1911, in Lewistown, IL, the son of Clarence John and Nettie Maude (Chicken) Landis. He grew up in Cuba, IL, where he completed twelve years of school all in the same building and classroom. He went on to graduate from Western Illinois Teacher’s College in 1935. He began teaching Agriculture and Science, and later English, in Adair, IL. He continued his education while he taught and received his Master’s Degree in Public School Administration from the University of Illinois.In 1941, Bob became the principal of the Kaneville High School and continued in that position for six years. He left his career in education to begin a new one in agriculture. Having grown up on a farm, Bob always had an interest in agriculture. When he was a young man working in Adair, he worked for the Illinois Crop Improvement Association during the summers where they were developing hybrid corn. In the late 1940’s, he purchased the Kaneville Grain and Supply Company which he built in to a successful business supplying area farmers with seed, lumber, hardware, and other agricultural items for nearly thirty years until his retirement in 1975. On December 24, 1935, Robert was united in marriage to Helen Eloise Cordell in Springfield, IL. They made their home in Adair while Robert was teaching and moved to Kaneville in 1941. For just over 70 years, they shared a love which saw them through the joys and the sorrows of life and together raised their three children. Bob was devoted to his family and loved his community. In return, his friends and neighbors loved and respected him. He considered his students as his own, also calling them "his kids". He was a man of integrity, truly believing in trying to do what is right and good. Sometimes a dreamer, he was willing to take the initiative to make things happen. His community was a place where everyone knew his name, and he knew theirs. This was especially true throughout the years that he operated the Kaneville Grain & Supply Co. which was a place where the area farmers bought supplies and just dropped by to catch up on the local news and swap stories. In 1960, Bob and Helen began their annual "snowbird" trips to FL. Each year they stayed a little longer to enjoy the warm sun and many activities in their neighborhood. Here they formed another circle of friends. Bob enjoyed being outdoors, honing his skills in competitive shuffleboard, walking the beach to collect shells and sharks teeth, and his frequent bicycle trips to watch a family of eagles in their pine forest nest. In more recent years, Bob and Helen have made their home in Venice, FL to be near their daughter Mary and her husband. He leaves to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren a heritage of family devotion, strong personal values, encouragement and support in all of their endeavors, and memories of wonderful times spent together.He was a faithful member of the Kaneville United Methodist Church, the Blackberry Lodge #359, AF & AM, Elburn, IL, the Phi Beta Kappa and Kappa Delta Phi. He served for many years on the Kaneville Fire Department and was a Cub Scout Master in Kaneville in his earlier years.He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Helen, of Venice, FL; three children: Marsha (Thomas) Toner of Iowa City, IAMary J. (Donald) Capes of Englewood, FL,and Richard (Paula) Landis of Fairport, NY;4 Grandchildren:Bradley (Amy) Roggow of Mountain Ranch, CA,Ann (Doug) Scott of West Des Moines, IA,Laura (James) Bond of Elkton, MD,Rebecca and Ryan Landis of Fairport, NY;5 Great-grandchildren:Matthew, Amanda and Megann Roggow andMadison and Abigail Scott, a number of nieces and nephews and a lifetime of friends and neighbors.He is preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers, John and Clyde Landis; 2 sisters, Sada and Ruth and one grandson, Robert Charles Capes (1987).A memorial has been established in his name to benefit the Kaneville United Methodist Church. Checks may be made to the church and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Memories and tributes may be made through his obituary at www.conleycare.com. Information 1-800-8CONLEY. Arrangements through Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL.

A memorial service to celebrate his life was held in Venice, FL, on January 27, 2006. Locally, his visitation will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2006, from 11-1pm, at the Kaneville United Methodist Church, Kaneville, IL. His funeral service will follow at 1:30pm with the Rev. Kathy Lawes and Rev. Leonard Sukut officiating.

Interment will follow at the Kaneville Cemetery.

ROBERT LANDISAge 94 of Venice Florida, formerly of Kaneville, IL passed away Friday morning, January 20, 2006 at the Venice Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are being completed at Conley Funeral Home, Elburn. Details will be posted at www.conleycare.com as they become available. For information call 800-8-CONLEY.

Saturday February 4thVisitation starting 11am till 1pm Service starting at 1:30pmFamily luncheon to follow service.