Robert D. Gray

Robert D. Gray, age 92, of Batavia, IL, went to be with Jesus, his Savior, on August 5, 2020. After bravely battling Multiple Myeloma for many years, he passed peacefully in Michealsen Health Center in Batavia, IL at 3:30 a.m. He held on until the 5th to make it officially to his and June’s 71st anniversary.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 29, 2020 at 10:00 am at Chapelstreet Church in Geneva, IL for immediate family only, due to COVID-19. The service will be streamed for friends and family to attend. To watch Pastor Bob’s funeral service please go to Chapelstreet.church/youtube.  This will be active 15 minutes before the service, which begins at 10:00 AM, on August 29th.

Robert, known as Bob, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Pastor Gray or Pastor Bob was born in Des Plaines, IL to Theodore and Ida Mae Gray on August 14, 1927.  He attended high school at Maine Township High School. Having always wanted to fly airplanes, he then enlisted and served in the Army Air Force as a chaplain during WWII, receiving an Honorable Discharge.  He married June Louise Heidlauf on August 5, 1949 in Des Plaines, IL. Bob graduated from Columbia Bible College with a BA in Biblical Education, Wheaton College with a MA in New Testament and Advanced Language study. After his retirement, Bob earned a Doctorate of Ministry from Bethel Theological Seminary. He served as a Pastor for 35 years in three churches over his lifetime: Van Orin Gospel Church in Van Orin, IL, Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, IL and First Baptist Church of Geneva (now Chapelstreet Church) in Geneva, IL. During his time at First Baptist of Geneva, he also was the owner and CEO of Travel Designers, Inc. in Geneva, IL which allowed him and June to enjoy traveling, leading tours and exploring the world. During Bob’s years of ministry, he felt it was important to be involved in his community, and served in over 25 local clubs and organizations, including Rotary International, The Geneva Chamber of Commerce, The American Legion, and the school boards of every town he lived in. He also served on The Greater Chicago Evangelical Ministerial Association and the Chicago Billy Graham Crusades. He considered his greatest accomplishments to be his military service, 35 years of pastoring his three churches, and playing a major role in obtaining the 47 rank Kimball pipe organ from Northwestern University’s Chicago campus for Chapelstreet Church.

Following his retirement, Bob & June moved to Marco Island, FL, and enjoyed 20 golden years of fun and friends. They attended the Wesley United Methodist Church on Marco, where Bob taught Sunday School. Bob & June have fond memories of The Mad Hatters, with whom they formed wonderful friendships.

Robert is survived by his wife of exactly 71 years June Louise Heidlauf; children Robert Marcus (Tina) Gray, Todd (Sherry) Gray, Rebecca (Ronald) Beers, and Jonathan (Sutherland) Gray. He also leaves behind 13 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents Theodore and Ida Mae Gray and his siblings Charles (Grace) Gray, Ruth (George) Ahrens, Dorothy (John) Wallace, and Lois (William) Boeck.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Chapelstreet Church, 2300 South Street, Geneva, IL, 60134.

The family of Robert wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the many people who took care of him: doctors, nurses, and staff at Northwestern Medicine & Geneva Eye Clinic, staff at Covenant Living at The Holmstad, loving caregivers from BrightStar Care, Covenant at Home Hospice and the paramedics of Geneva and Batavia./

Arrangements handled by Malone Funeral Home in Geneva, Illinois. For information 630-232-8233 or www.malonefh.com.

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