Robert A. Cranston

Robert “Rob” A. Cranston, 65, of Normal, Ill., passed away at 9:40 pm on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at his home.

His memorial service was held at 11 am on Monday, November 20, 2023 at Calvary United Methodist Church, Normal, where visitation will be one hour prior to services. Cremation rites have been accorded. A private Inurnment will be at Hirstein Cemetery, Morton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Rotary International Polio Plus Program.

To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.

He was born October 27, 1958 in Webster City, IA, son of Robert G. and RoseAnn Armstrong Cranston. He married Mary Linn Volle on October 20, 1984.

Surviving are his wife, Mary V. Cranston; two sons, Rick (Ina) Cranston, Mariehamn, Aland, Finland and Mark Cranston, Louisville, KY and two grandchildren, Astor & Ebba Cranston. Also surviving are one sister, Susan Cranston Weeks, Newton, IA, and nephews, Steven Weeks of Newton and Thomas Weeks of West Hollywood, Calif.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Rob graduated from high school in Newton with the class of 1977 and was a 1982 graduate of the University of Iowa, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Economics. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes fan and loved cheering on all sports.

He first worked as an assessor for the city of Newton, then for Bloomington. He worked the majority of his career as the elected assessor for Normal Township. Rob was also a Certified Assessment Evaluator and a teacher for local and national assessment institutes.

Rob was very involved with Rotary Youth International, as well as a member of the Normal Rotary Club for many years. He was a swim referee in the Bloomington-Normal area for many years and he and his wife, Mary, were part of the “Friendly Family Program,” and Illinois State University Student Exchange program.